AUBA FLIPS THE SCRIPT ON TOON
Skipper back on track with double strike
PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG put a horror run behind him as he bagged a double and three massive points for Arsenal.
The Gabonese ace rifled in the opener five minutes into the second half and followed it up with the killer third after Bukayo Saka had added his own effort.
The result and performance delighted boss Mikel Arteta who hailed the mental strength of his two-goal frontman.
He said: “Pierre had two or three really big chances in the first half, which he didn’t score.
“But those goals will give him good confidence so that’s good for the team.
“The young players put a smile on my face. That is merit to them and their team-mates. It’s a mixture of energy, passion and a little bit of immaturity at times, which is good as you don’t play as tense. They did really well.”
Newcastle boss Steve Bruce reacted to the loss at bottom club Sheffield United by making eight changes for their Premier League game at Arsenal.
Goalkeeper Karl Darlow, defender Ciaran Clark and striker Callum Wilson were the only players to avoid the axe at the Emirates.
The likes of Andy Carroll, Jonjo Shelvey and captain Jamaal Lascelles came into the side for the visitors, who lost 2-0 after extra-time in their FA Cup thirdround clash away to the Gunners nine days ago.
Arteta, meanwhile, made three alterations of his own after a 0-0 home draw with Crystal Palace last time out.
Cedric Soares came in at right-back while there were recalls for fit-again Kieran Tierney and Thomas Partey.
The two sides would go in level at the interval, although Arsenal had enjoyed more efforts on goal as Aubameyang and David Luiz both missed great opportunities to grab a breakthrough.
But the Gunners finally broke the deadlock five minutes after the restart, Alexandre Lacazette drawing a smart save out of Darlow before Aubameyang fired home.
The lead was then doubled as Arsenal’s two academy stars combined, Emile Smith Rowe darting into the box down the right before squaring for Saka to turn home.
And it was wrapped up when Aubameyang tucked home his second from a Cedric cross, a VAR check confirming the ball did not go out over the byeline before the Portugal full-back played it into the box.
Bruce said: “We are having a difficult moment. That bit of confidence ebbs away at you. We have to keep working away and hope that confidence returns.”