Aubameyang strikes as Arsenal cruise to easy win against Newcastle

ARSENAL bounced back from Thursday’s UEFA Europa League defeat to Villarreal with a comfortable 2-0 Premier League win at Newcastle United on Sunday.

Egypt midfielder Mohamed Elneny scored his first Premier League goal for the Gunners in the first half, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang made sure of the points in the second half.

The victory was Arsenal’s first in four games in all competitions.

Elneny was on the scoresheet very early in the game, rifling home from the edge of the box in the fifth minute after the ball fell for him there from an Arsenal attack.

Arsenal, despite Mikel Arteta making several changes from Thursday’s line-up, were in almost complete control of the match, leaving Newcastle United chasing shadows.

The hosts however prevented another Arsenal goal in the first half, retaining hopes of an equaliser.

The Gunners continued to dominate in the second half and got their fully deserved second goal from Aubameyang.

The Gabon captain, making his first start in one month after recovering from malaria, struck in the 66th minute with an acrobatic effort off a brilliant ball from Gabriel Martinelli.

Newcastle United then had Fabian Schar sent off in added time for a lunge at Martinelli, not long after Arsenal had lost David Luiz to injury.

With the defeat, Steve Bruce’s side stay nine points above the relegation zone with four games remaining.

Arsenal, who host Villarreal on Thursday for the return leg of their Europa League semi-final, rose above Aston Villa into ninth place in the table.