NEWCASTLE 0 ARSENAL 2
AUBA BACK WITH A BANG FOR GUNNERS:
MIKEL ARTETA now has a headache ahead of Arsenal’s Europa League semi-final second leg this week.
The Gunners reserves put on a dominant display at St James’ Park and several will fancy their chances of a call-up at the Emirates on Thursday.
Arteta rested eight men from the 2-1 defeat by Villarreal last week, but Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Gabriel Martinelli – both benched for European duty – combined to settle this pedestrian match.
Hard-running Martinelli wriggled free to fire in a cross that Aubameyang karate kicked home. Time for recalls?
Aubameyang’s 66th-minute goal was his sixth in his last five games against Newcastle.
Arsenal have won 17 of the last 18 games against the Toon. Steve Bruce has beaten the club twice in 24 games as a manager.
Arteta’s men cruised into a fifth-minute lead and Newcastle made it easy for the visitors.
Mohamed Elneny smashed home his first Premier League goal from the edge of the box. David Luiz unlocked the defence with a pass up the line for Hector Bellerin.
Aubameyang miskicked Bellerin’s cross but the ball rebounded to Elneny and Martin Dubravka could have done better with the shot. Elneny, above, said:
“The feeling is truly amazing, I have been dreaming about scoring a goal in the Premier League.
“It’s great for the managers to rotate the players. We’re all fighting for positions.” Newcastle were lethargic. The job of avoiding relegation is almost done, but fans still would have expected more energy. They could have been three down in the first half hour.
Elneny headed an effort from a corner that Miguel Almiron flicked off the line. And Granit Xhaka tested Dubravka, who saved well from 22 yards.
Mat Ryan tipped over Newcastle’s only shot on target, from Allan Saint-Maximin.
Fabian Schar, a 72nd-minute substitute was sent off in injury time for scything through Martinelli from behind. NEWCASTLE (5-3-2): Dubravka 6; Murphy 4, Clark 5 (Gayle 84), Fernandez 5 (Schar 72), Dummett 5, Ritchie 6; Almiron 6 (Joelinton 72), Longstaff 5, Shelvey 5; Saint-Maximin 6, Wilson 5.
ARSENAL (4-2-3-1): Ryan 7, Bellerin 7, David Luiz 7 (Chambers 52), Gabriel 6, Xhaka 7; Elneny 7, Ceballos 7; Odegaard 7 (Partey 85); Willian 6, Martinelli 8; Aubameyang 7 (Pepe 77). Goals: Elneny 5, Aubameyang 66.