Arsenal got a much needed morale booster ahead of their second leg semifinal clash against Villarreal in the Europa League with a 0-2 victory over Newcastle United at the St James' Park on Sunday afternoon.
The gunners got back to winning ways after failing to win in their last three games. A draw and a loss to Fulham and Everton in the league respectively preceded their midweek loss to Villarreal in the first leg of their Europa league semifinal clash.
While Steve Bruce made just one change to his team, starting Calum Wilson ahead of Joelinton, Mikel Arteta, having the crucial midweek game in mind, made eight changes to his Arsenal side, with only Grant Xhaka, Martin Odegaard and Dani Ceballos keeping their spots.
Arsenal dominated the opening exchanges, trying to breakdown a Newcastle side that preferred to sit deep. It did not take long before their patience paid off in the 5th minute of action.
David Luiz making his return to the starting lineup, played a long range pass down the right to Hector Bellerin who had found his way up front. The Spaniard crossed on the half volley towards Pierre Emerick Aubameyang in the middle. The Arsenal captain fumbled his shot which fell graciously to Mohammed Elneny at the edge of the Newcastle box. The Egyptian struck a trademark shot into the left bottom corner, scoring his first premier league goal for Arsenal, despite having already scored in Europe.
Newcastle struggled to get into the game. They were also without Arsenal loanee, Joe Willock, who has proven a crucial player for the Baggies in recent times, being ineligible to play against his parent club, with reports suggesting that Steve Bruce wants to keep the English youngster at the Park.
The hosts finally got a chance at goal in the 18th minute when Saint-Maximin's effort took a deflection off Grant Xhaka and looked to be looping towards goal but Matt Ryan was forced into making a save.
Arsenal should have made it two just before the half hour mark with two glorious opportunities. Xhaka's effort from a volley on the edge of the Newcastle box was tipped over the bar by Martin Dubravka and from the resulting corner, Elneny was allowed a free header into the top corner but his effort was cleared off the line by Miguel Almiron.
The Gunners led into half-time.
Arteta was forced into an early substitution in the second half after David Luiz pulled his hamstring and was replaced By Calum Chambers who has featured at right back for the team in recent outings.
The visitors finally got their second goal through Aubameyang. The Gabonese star tried to play his way through the Newcastle defence but was dispossessed. The ball fell kindly to Martin Odegaard who with a defence-splitting pass found Gabriel Martinelli on the left and the Brazilian found Aubameyang at the far post with a pinpoint cross and the Arsenal captain had to make an acrobatic attempt to hit the ball into the net for his first goal in two months.
There was little threat from Newcastle on the Arsenal goal and their game was summed up in the 90th minute when Fabian Schar who had only be on for about six minutes got sent off for a late rash challenge on Martinelli.
Arsenal have now beaten Newcastle in six consecutive meetings in all competitions without conceding a single goal, while Newcastle have lost 16 of their last 17 meetings against the Gunners. Their last win came in 2018 with Rafael Benitez in charge at the Park.
The win puts Arsenal in 9th position, six point off European places and Newcastle remain 17th, nine points adrift of the drop zone with four games to spare.
Comments