Newcastle’s wait for first victory goes on after new manager Howe sees team outclassed by Arsenal

Two fine second-half goals from Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli saw Arsenal bounce back from their thrashing by Liverpool with a 2-0 win over Newcastle as Eddie Howe’s first match in the dugout ended in defeat.

Newcastle are still seeking their first victory of the Premier League season after 13 games while Arsenal returned to winning ways after losing 4-0 at Anfield last week. Saka opened the scoring in the 56th minute after running on to a deft pass from left-back Nuno Tavares before sending a low shot past goalkeeper Martin Dubravka into the far corner.

The England international appeared to hurt his left leg soon after his goal and, after briefly playing on, was replaced by Martinelli in the 64th minute. The 20-year-old Brazilian substitute scored with only his second touch.

Sprinting on to a lofted pass from right-back Takehiro Tomiyasu over the Newcastle defence, Martinelli sent a volley past Dubravka.

The recently hired Howe was on the sidelines for Newcastle for his first match after being absent for the 3-3 draw against Brentford last week, after testing positive for Covid-19.

Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale was only seriously called into action to tip a longrange shot from Jonjo Shelvey on to the bar midway through the first half.

The standout moment of the first half saw Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang somehow fail to score from barely three metres out, with his effort on the rebound – after Dubravka saved Emile Smith Rowe’s header – hitting the outside of the post.

“I am happy with the points after losing [to Liverpool]. You have to win straight away. I’m pleased,” said Gunners manager Mikel Arteta.

“The word was we had to be patient. We had to play with urgency and rhythm. That’s what we did in the second half. We found spaces and that’s how we scored the goals. In the first half we shot from every range without composure.”

The result leaves Newcastle bottom of the table, five points shy of safety – and they face crucial home matches against fellow strugglers Norwich City and Burnley in their next two fixtures. “I thought it was a good performance, especially the start. We were good for the first half an hour,” Howe said.

“It was a great save [from Ramsdale to deny Shelvey]. I thought it was in. The pleasing thing today is how we started and finished the game.

“The players have been very responsive. They have given everything in the two games. I can’t ask more than their best.

“Momentum in football is so important. We need to get that win as quickly as we can.”