Arsenal continued their impressive form in the Premier League, securing a resounding 4-1 victory over Newcastle United at Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
The home side’s dominance was evident from the outset as they launched a flurry of attacks on the Newcastle goal.
Sven Botman’s unfortunate own goal gave Arsenal the lead before Kai Havertz doubled the advantage just six minutes later with a simple finish from close range.
Throughout the first half, Arsenal maintained 64% possession and recorded 12 goal attempts, with four on target.
Newcastle, on the other hand, failed to register a shot on target in the opening period, marking their first such instance in a Premier League game since March 2014.
The second half saw Arsenal continue to dominate, with Bukayo Saka and Jakub Kiwior scoring to wrap up the win.
Saka’s 13th league goal of the season came after a mazy run down the right, followed by a cutting inside and a precise finish into the far corner.
Kiwior then headed home a Declan Rice corner to make it 4-0.
Former Arsenal forward Joe Willock scored a consolation goal for Newcastle with a fine looping header into the far corner after 84 minutes, but it was too little, too late for Eddie Howe’s struggling team.
The victory was Arsenal’s sixth successive Premier League win, taking them to 58 points after 26 games, just two points behind league leaders Liverpool and one point behind Manchester City.
Havertz, who scored Arsenal’s second goal, stressed the importance of the win, saying, “It’s crucial to win games and we have to put pressure on Liverpool and Manchester City, and that is what we will do.”
The win over Newcastle was especially important for Arsenal after their disappointing Champions League loss to Porto in midweek.
The Gunners have now scored 15 goals in their last three Premier League games and will be hoping to maintain their momentum in the title race.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe lamented his team’s lackluster performance, saying, “Arsenal were very good, we weren’t and we got punished. We were off in most aspects of our game, we didn’t do the basics right.”
The defeat leaves Newcastle in eighth place in the league table with 37 points.
