If anyone thought Arsenal would suffer a further blip after their defeat in Porto, they would be proved wrong as the Gunners swept Newcastle aside 4-1 in N5.
Mikel Arteta decided to make one change from the side that had started the last three games in all competitions, with Jorginho coming back into the starting XI for the first time since his POTM performance versus Liverpool. Leandro Trossard was the man to take the Italian’s spot on the bench with Kai Havertz moved back upfront in place of the Belgian.
Emirates Stadium was rocking at kickoff and the team responded to the loud, intense atmosphere with a rapid start. Pressing their visitors constantly and not allowing them any time on the ball outside their defensive third, constantly winning the ball back after forcing Newcastle to hit the ball long with no way to pass their way out. Declan Rice had the best chance of the opening stages as he drove into the Newcastle penalty area but struck his effort straight at Loris Karius. And they were eventually rewarded for their dominant start as Arsenal once again scored from a set piece as Gabriel headed over the line following a deflection off the knee of Sven Snorman, the goal eventually going over the line and was credited as an own-goal by the Dutch defender.
However, it wouldn’t stay 1-0 for long as just a couple of minutes later, Arsenal doubled their lead as a lofted ball over the top of the Newcastle defence found Gabriel Martinelli who’s pullback was met by Havertz who tapped home to give Arsenal a 2-0 lead midway through the first half. The Gunners continued their dominance as the first half progressed and could have gone three up when Martinelli headed over with what was a good chance in the final minutes of the half before the referee blew for halftime.
Mikel Arteta’s side started the second half just as they’d played out the first and should have scored a third when some excellent play between Martinelli and Bukayo Saka saw Havertz through on goal but he hit his shot wide.
Arsenal remained in control of the second half despite a clear drop in intensity, understandable given the amount of football they have played recently, and David Raya remained mainly a spectator. But the third goal eventually came when Saka cut inside the eighteen-yard box and fired low into the far corner to give Arsenal the three-goal cushion Arteta and the fans desired.
And three would soon become four as just like for their first goal, Arsenal would score from a corner with the help of a deflection. This time Declan Rice swung in the set-piece and Jakub Kiwior met it to make 4-0. Arsenal’s second from a corner of the night as they once again showed themselves to be the set-piece masters in the Premier League.
Despite their dominance, Arsenal wouldn’t leave N5 with a clean sheet. As Hale End graduate Joe Willock produced a great header into the far corner of Raya’s goal following a Dan Burn cross. However, that did little to dampen the mood as Arsenal ran our 4-1 winners to make it six wins in a row in the Premier League.
The Gunners next Premier League encounter comes at Bramall Lane when they face Sheffield United.
Player Ratings:
David Raya: 7 – Made one save but remained mainly a spectator throughout
Ben White: 8 – Inverted really well and dealt well with the threat of Gordon
William Saliba: 7 – Looked more confident this time out compared to Porto
Gabriel: 8 – Dealt well with Isak and (may) of got another goal to his name
Jakub Kiwior: 8 – Another excellent showing from the Pole. Defensively solid, great in possession and deserved his goal
Jorginho: 8 – Back-to back POTM performances in the Premier League for the Italian who is proving to be a bargain
Declan Rice: 8 – Played a more advanced role and showed off his excellent ball carrying skills with some great dribbling
Martin Odegaard: 7 – Kept Arsenal moving and worked incredibly hard
Bukayo Saka: 8 – Another goal for Arsenal’s starboy who can’t stop scoring of late
Kai Havertz: 8 – Back upfront and was excellent. Great linkup play and got both a goal and assist
Gabriel Martinelli: 7 – Mucb better than his Porto shocker. Got an assist too