ARSENAL returned to winning ways on Saturday with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners, who were battered 4-0 by Liverpool last weekend, capped a dominant Premier League display with goals from England international with Nigerian heritage, Bukayo Saka, and young Brazilian forward Gabriel Martinelli.
The hosts ensured Eddie Howe’s first game in the Newcastle United dugout ended in limp defeat, a result that means the Magpies still have not won at the Emirates Stadium since November 2010.
Seeking a tenth consecutive home league win against Newcastle, Arsenal started brightly, with Emile Smith Rowe forcing Martin Dubravka into an outstretched save high to his right-hand side.
Jonjo Shelvey then went close for Newcastle, as his 25-yard curling effort was superbly tipped over by the impressive Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.
At the opposite end, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had one of the worst misses in recent times, failing to convert from six yards out.
It took Arsenal only 11 minutes into the second half to take the lead as Nuno Tavares and Smith Rowe combined to set Saka up with the chance to slot home his second goal of the campaign.
Saka limped off with an injury moments after his goal, but the hosts struck again midway through the second half.
Martinelli was able to delicately loft his first-time volley above the onrushing Newcastle United goalkeeper Dubravka.
With the result, Newcastle’s wait for their first Premier League win this season continues, with only one side ever having survived relegation after being winless in the opening 13 games.
Arsenal have maintained their fifth spot in the table with 23 points from 13 games, while Newcastle are bottom with six points.
