Match ends, Arsenal 1, Newcastle United 0.
Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez said his side "need something in January" after they dropped into the relegation zone with a fourth straight defeat at Arsenal.
The Magpies have lost eight of their last nine Premier League games, gaining just one point from a 2-2 draw at West Brom.
They rose to as high as fourth earlier in the season, and were in sixth place after beating Crystal Palace on 21 October, their last win to date.
"We'll try to bring in some additions that will bring a lift to the team," said Benitez.
Mesut Ozil's brilliant volleyed goal in the first half was enough for Arsene Wenger's side, who dominated until Newcastle rallied late in the game.
Newcastle are reported to be the subject of a £300m takeover bid by PCP Partners, with club owner Mike Ashley said to have recently met with PCP's owner Amanda Staveley.
"The fans know the team will be tough. They also know we need something in January that will help the current squad," the Spaniard added.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles hit the side-netting for Arsenal before the break, but Newcastle only came to life in the latter stages, with Ayoze Perez failing to take advantage of two rare chances when he put a shot and then a header over the bar.
The result puts Arsenal into fourth place while Newcastle have now claimed just one point from the last 27.
Jack Wilshere came closest to giving Arsenal breathing space late on when he saw his side-footed shot saved by the recalled Rob Elliot in the Newcastle goal.
It was Newcastle's 10th straight Premier League defeat to Arsenal and they are now without a league win since 21 October when they beat Crystal Palace 1-0.
Edgy Arsenal relieved by Ozil brilliance
Seventh in the table at kick-off and without a win in three matches is not the sort of run-in to the busy festive schedule that Arsenal are accustomed to.
And hamstring and groin injuries to Aaron Ramsey and Theo Walcott respectively also gave Wenger much to ponder in the lead-up to the meeting with Newcastle.
They looked slick for much of the afternoon and threatened around the edge of Newcastle's area on a regular basis, but the lack of the killer instinct in front of goal led to some edginess as the match wore on.
Ozil's moment of magic was the one real ray of light on a grey afternoon, the Germany international showing impeccable technique and balance to strike the ball beyond a helpless Elliot after Newcastle failed to clear.
With Liverpool the next league visitors to the Emirates, Arsenal will be thankful for the split second of brilliance that helped to end a worrying dip in results.
Newcastle's slide continues
When Newcastle captain Jamaal Lascelles forced Petr Cech into a save when he rose unmarked to head a free-kick on target early on, Rafael Benitez must have hoped it was a sign of things to come.
But Newcastle retreated into their shells for much of the match, and struggled to chase the game after falling behind.
Their slide down the table, from sixth when they beat Palace for their last victory, has been badly timed, coinciding with the stories of PCP's interest.
Magpies fans will want matters resolving soon, and will be in full agreement with their manager over the dire need for an injection of fresh talent in the forthcoming transfer window to spark their side back to life.
Man of the match - Mesut Ozil (Arsenal)
'Newcastle produced a physical performance' - what they said
Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez: "We had our chances. We were pushing and attacking. We had chances to draw. It's a pity. We are learning. In some games we are one goal behind. The players are working hard. It's a pity.
"We need to be competitive like today and keep going. We are a young team. When you're not winning you lose confidence. We have to keep working this way."
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger: "The necessity to win was playing on the mind of the players towards the end.
"We had three games in six days. In the last one you could suffer because Newcastle produced a physical performance.
"We had two away games and two draws. Against Manchester United we had a quality performance but couldn't get the win."
Home is where the heart is for Arsenal - the stats you may have missed
- Arsenal have won 13 of their last 14 home Premier League games, losing the other to Manchester United.
- Newcastle are without a win in nine Premier League games (D1 L8), their longest winless run in league football since May 2015 (10).
- Rafa Benitez has never enjoyed a victory away to Arsenal in the Premier League in seven attempts, drawing two and losing five.
- Jack Wilshere started consecutive Premier League games for Arsenal for the first time since May 2015.
- Mesut Ozil has been directly involved in six goals in his last five Premier League games at the Emirates (two goals, four assists).
- Ozil has had a hand in three goals in his three top-flight appearances against Newcastle (2 goals, 1 assist).
- The German created eight goal-scoring chances - only Kevin de Bruyne (nine v Southampton in November) has managed more in a single Premier League game this season. Ozil also managed eight v Everton in October.
- Petr Cech has now kept 199 Premier League clean sheets.
What's next?
Arsenal face West Ham for the second time inside a week when they host the Carabao Cup quarter-final at 19:45 GMT on Tuesday, 19 December. The Gunners then host Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium in the Premier League on Friday, 22 December at 19:45.
Newcastle are back in London for their next outing, away to West Ham on Saturday, 23 December at 15:00 GMT.
Line-ups
Arsenal
Formation 4-3-3
- 33Cech
- 24Bellerín
- 6Koscielny
- 18MonrealBooked at 86mins
- 30Maitland-Niles
- 11Özil
- 29XhakaBooked at 90mins
- 10Wilshere
- 17IwobiSubstituted forWelbeckat 72'minutes
- 9LacazetteSubstituted forGiroudat 73'minutes
- 7SánchezSubstituted forCoquelinat 89'minutes
Substitutes
- 12Giroud
- 13Ospina
- 21Chambers
- 23Welbeck
- 31Kolasinac
- 34Coquelin
- 35Elneny
Newcastle
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Elliot
- 22Yedlin
- 6Lascelles
- 20Lejeune
- 19Manquillo
- 7MurphySubstituted forGayleat 67'minutes
- 23MerinoSubstituted forDiaméat 82'minutes
- 14HaydenBooked at 40mins
- 30AtsuSubstituted forRitchieat 54'minutes
- 21Joselu
- 17Pérez
Substitutes
- 2Clark
- 3Dummett
- 9Gayle
- 10Diamé
- 11Ritchie
- 16Aarons
- 26Darlow
- Referee:
- Stuart Attwell
- Attendance:
- 59,379
Match Stats
- Possession
- Home71%
- Away29%
- Shots
- Home23
- Away10
- Shots on Target
- Home5
- Away2
- Corners
- Home7
- Away5
- Fouls
- Home13
- Away9
Live Text
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Full Time
Second Half ends, Arsenal 1, Newcastle United 0.
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Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Joselu (Newcastle United).
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Corner, Arsenal. Conceded by Jamaal Lascelles.
Booking
Granit Xhaka (Arsenal) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Foul by Granit Xhaka (Arsenal).
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Ayoze Pérez (Newcastle United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Ainsley Maitland-Niles (Arsenal).
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Matt Ritchie (Newcastle United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Attempt blocked. Héctor Bellerín (Arsenal) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Mesut Özil.
Substitution
Substitution, Arsenal. Francis Coquelin replaces Alexis Sánchez.
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Attempt blocked. Olivier Giroud (Arsenal) left footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Héctor Bellerín.
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Attempt blocked. Matt Ritchie (Newcastle United) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Ayoze Pérez.
Booking
Nacho Monreal (Arsenal) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Foul by Nacho Monreal (Arsenal).
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Joselu (Newcastle United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Attempt blocked. Danny Welbeck (Arsenal) left footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Mesut Özil.
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Foul by Granit Xhaka (Arsenal).
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Ayoze Pérez (Newcastle United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Comments
Join the conversation
Newcastle up to their necks in a relegation dogfight, they need some signings in January but with the possible sale of the club will be interesting if any money is made available.
I’m resigned to the fact that Arsenal aren’t going to win anything this season, how long until the Spuds have to do the same?
Is reality setting in that Spurs are about as likely to win a trophy as Elvis opening your new ground?
No excuses, your team are pathetic and got smashed to bits - just like the did at Arsenal.
The 'best spurs team ever' are still only mid table candidates.
Definitely the gift that keeps giving.
Aye! ...........Back in the drop zone!
As for Newcastle, the malaise was there long before Benitez.
This Arsenal side is nowhere near good enough to carry anyone and whilst you used to be able to rely on Sanchez to put a shift in, that’s evidently no longer the case.
Past his bedtime?