Arsenal have continued their resurgence under Unai Emery with a deserved 2-1 victory over Newcastle United in Saturday’s Premier League fixture at St James’ Park.
Granit Xhaka and Mesut Ozil – on his 200th Arsenal appearance – netted early in the second half and although Newcastle halved the deficit through Ciaran Clark in added-on time, Arsenal were full value for the three points.
The Gunners now find themselves in seventh place in the league standings, while Newcastle are 18th and remain without success from their opening five matches in the top flight this season.
Newcastle went into the game having failed to show much attacking intent in their last home fixture against Chelsea, but it was a different story against the North Londoners who found themselves under pressure during the opening quarter-of-an-hour.
Arsenal were putting themselves in trouble with Newcastle taking advantage of the slow build-up play of the visitors, but it would not lead to any shots on goal from the home team.
Petr Cech had to remain alert throughout the first 45 minutes, but the Czech stopper was relatively untroubled aside from having to punch clear a headed cross from Jacob Murphy with two Newcastle players lurking at the back post.
Both teams made a change at the back, with Clark having to replace the injured Jamaal Lascelles and Arsenal boss Emery opting to give Lucas Torreira 45 minutes in the spot of Matteo Guendouzi.
However, Arsenal’s opener came from a player whose place in the side is frequently disputed, with Xhaka firing a stunning free kick into the top corner of Martin Dubravka’s net from 30 yards.
Newcastle needed a response but Arsenal doubled their advantage nine minutes later when Ozil found the bottom corner from 18 yards out after Lacazette’s initial goalbound effort had been brilliantly blocked.
The visitors looked comfortable heading into three minutes of added-on time, but Clark gave Newcastle a lifeline by powering in a header from eight yards after being left all on his own at the back post.
However, Arsenal were able to cope with the late blip to get their third successive win on the board, moving level on points with North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
