Arsenal v Newcastle LIVE: Result and reaction from Premier League as Saka scores in big Gunners win
Arsenal 4-1 Newcastle: The sublime Gunners tore the Magpies apart to close the gap to Liverpool at the top to just two points
Arsenal doled out another devastating Premier League defeat as they cruised past Newcastle to move two points off the top of the table. Having thrashed West Ham and Burnley away from home, the Gunners returned to the Emirates Stadium where they easily dispatched of Eddie Howe’s side, winning 4-1 in Saturday’s late kick-off.
A Sven Botman own goal set them on their way before goals from Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Jakub Kiwior rounded off another fine display from Mikel Arteta’s men, although the returning Joe Willock’s late header ruined another clean sheet.
The win, coming on the back of a galling late loss in their Champions League last-16 clash with Porto on Wednesday, moves them to within two points of leaders Liverpool and just a point shy of Manchester City in second place.
Their recent run of free-scoring performances, winning their last three games at an aggregate of 15-1, also means Arsenal boast the best goal difference in the division.
Relive Arsenal vs Newcastle below:
Arsenal vs Newcastle LIVE: Latest Premier League updates
Newcastle once again have a claim to be the Premier League’s great entertainers, though it would hardly have been Eddie Howe’s plan to channel the spirit of Kevin Keegan’s 1990s side quite like this.
Newcastle may be eighth in the table but they lead the Premier League in a different category: with 94, Newcastle’s matches have featured more goals than any other team so far this season. The problem for Howe is the goals have been flying in at both ends, as illustrated by the scorelines of their last three outings: a 4-4 against Luton, a 3-2 win at Nottingham Forest and a 2-2 draw at home to Bournemouth. The joint-best defence in the Premier League last season has become porous this campaign, cut adrift from the top-four race.
But as Newcastle head to Arsenal, perhaps they can take some inspiration from a different sort of reputation. To Mikel Arteta and the Gunners, Newcastle have often been the great irritators and, in denying Arteta’s side, they have played the role to considerable success.
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Arsenal vs Newcastle LIVE: Latest Premier League updates
Wow - incredible team news at the Emirates, as Loris Karius starts in goal for the visitors! The former Liverpool goalkeeper has only made one previous appearance for Newcaslte - in last year’s Carabao Cup final - but he replaces Martin Dubravka, who is not in the away squad.
Alexander Isak and Tino Livramento also start, with Harvey Barnes and Dan Burn dropping out.
Arseanl make just one change, with Jorginho coming into midfield for Leandro Trossard. The big news, though, is Gabriel Jesus is back on the bench.
Arsenal vs Newcastle LIVE: Latest Premier League updates
Line-ups!
Arsenal XI: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior; Jorginho, Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Martinelli, Havertz
Newcastle XI: Karius; Trippier, Schaar, Botman, Livramento; Guimaraes, Miley, Longstaff; Almiron, Isak, Gordon
Arsenal v Newcastle team news
The teams have been announced. Here’s how Arsenal and Newcastle line up this evening
Arsenal vs Newcastle LIVE: Latest Premier League updates
We’ll have team news from the Emirates in the next few minutes:
Anyone expecting any big surprises from Arteta following on from Wednesday night?
Arsenal vs Newcastle LIVE: Latest Premier League updates
Newcastle are unbeaten in their last five but all talk this week has been on off-field issues with sporting director Dan Ashworth accepting a position at Manchester United.
Ashworth was placed on garden leave earlier this week after telling the club he wanted to leave St James’ Park after just 20 months to take up a similar role at Old Trafford.
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Arsenal vs Newcastle LIVE: Latest Premier League updates
Declan Rice admitted Arsenal need to be more “savvy”after their late defeat in midweek.
Galeno’s brilliant last-gasp strike earned the hosts a 1-0 victory but Rice thinks Arsenal have to look at themselves.
“I think the last minute is probably a bit of inexperience,” Rice replied when asked if Arteta’s young team were on a steep learning curve.
“Just probably having a bit more savviness, in terms of it’s the 93rd minute, you look up at the clock, it’s 0-0, we gave a ball away on the edge of our box twice and then he bends one in the top bins.
“So we have got to have a bit of savviness to see out the game, because if you can’t win, definitely don’t lose - especially in a knockout game. But look, we are still positive. It is half-time in a two-leg tie and we will be ready for the next leg.
“You look at our team, we are such a young group. Some of us have not played in the Champions League before, so it is all about learning on the job.
“But we have to play better than we did tonight. They made it really tough, but in the second leg we will be ready to go and give it everything.
“I think it is good to have nerves - you get that experience and you need that to play in the biggest games. Whether there is nerves or no nerves, I think these are the type of games we need to learn from on the way and it is going to make us better overall.”
Arsenal vs Newcastle LIVE: Latest Premier League updates
Mikel Arteta has urged Arsenal to use their last-gasp defeat to Porto as extra fuel for their Premier League title challenge.
“What happened in another competition is there, but what you cannot deny is what is in your tummy after a defeat,” Arteta said.
“We have to use it in a really powerful way to be better.”
Arsenal vs Newcastle LIVE: Latest Premier League updates
Odds
Arsenal: 4/11
Draw: 22/5
Newcastle: 7/1
get the latest tips and match odds on the Premier League fixture, here:
Arsenal vs Newcastle predictions: Premier League tips, betting odds & free bets
Two of last season's top four clash on Saturday night in a game of vital importance to both sides
Arsenal vs Newcastle LIVE: Latest Premier League updates
What is the team news?
Thomas Partey could return to the Arsenal squad after a long injury absence, while Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko could also make the bench. Takehiro Tomiyasu is still out.
Aleksander Isak and Joe Willock could be involved in the Newcastle squad but goalkeeper Nick Pope remains out for the visitors.
Predicted line-ups
Arsenal: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior; Jorginho, Rice, Havertz; Saka, Trossard, Martinelli
Newcastle: Dubravka; Trippier, Schaar, Botman, Burn; Guimaraes, Miley, Longstaff; Almiron, Gordon, Barnes
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