Arsenal returned to winning ways as they eased past Newcastle 3-0 on Monday Night Football

A brace from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and a welcomed goal for Bukayo Saka were enough to see off the Magpies as Arsenal continued their good run of form to make it four wins out of five in the Premier League.

In what was a slow start to the game, the Gunners failed to test Newcastle during the first half. An early chance did fall in the hands of Aubameyang after good work from Saka but he couldn’t convert hitting post from a tight angle, apart from this early scare Newcastle seemed content as they sat back in what was a pretty sterile first half.

However after the break it was a different story, Mikel Arteta’s half-time team talk seemed to have the desired effect as his side turned it on during the second half .

Shortly after the restart you could already see a difference, Arsenal were playing with more purpose moving the ball a lot quicker. Lacazette tested Karl Darlow just one minute into the second half with a low strike, however the Newcastle keeper was equal to it getting down low to make a fantastic save.

Four minutes later it was Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who opened the scoring in what was a brilliant counter attacking move by the Gunners. Thomas Partey played a delightful ball in behind the Newcastle defence which left Aubameyang one on one with Krafth, the Gabonese striker made no mistake as he beat his man shifting it onto his left foot before rifling past Darlow into the roof of the net.

Arsenal continued their dominance as they pushed for a second, in the 60th minute that goal arrived as the two academy youngsters combined. It came after a fantastic weaving run by Emile Smith Rowe, turning Lascelles inside out before squaring it to Bukayo Saka who netted his fourth of the season for the Gunners.

Aubameyang sealed the win late into the second half after great work by Cedric down the right flank. The Portuguese full back just managed to keep the ball in play as he squared it to Aubameyang, and despite a VAR consultation as to whether all the ball had crossed the line or not, it was deemed ok by VAR official Peter Bankes at Stockley Park.

In what was a game where Newcastle failed to provide any real threat, it just further highlighted the issues they’ve been having all season. Sat in 15th position and without registering a win in their previous nine games in all competitions, is Steve Bruce’s job under threat?

Arsenal however after tonight’s win now sit above Aston Villa in 10th, with the Gunners seven points adrift of fourth-placed Liverpool in the last Champions League qualifying spot.

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