Arsenal vs Newcastle: Five things we learned from the Gunners' 1-0 victory at the Emirates

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After a dreary league run of two draws and one defeat, Arsenal showed what they’re capable of today with a performance that, at times, was slick, smooth and impressive. The side’s propensity for a quick one-two has always been a trademark feature of their play and today it was implemented to good effect as Arsenal’s front men carved open their opponents with pin-point passing, particularly so in the first 45 minutes.

Mesut Ozil and Alexandre Lacazette were notably put through on goal as a result of such movements, though the missing product was not quite there. Indeed, Arsenal will have felt they should have scored more. Their lapse in concentration towards the closing minutes of the game will have left fans biting their nails but, in all, this was an encouraging display nonetheless and one that should get the side back on track.

For the second time in one week Ainsley Maitland-Niles was handed a spot in Arsene Wenger’s starting XI. At just 20 years of age, the Englishman has a bright future ahead of him and showed today why. The versatile midfielder/defender looked completely at ease at left back, showcasing his threat going forward while working hard to track back when out of possession.

He notably came close to scoring his first Premier League goal in the first half, driving assertively through the centre of the park, taking it past two Newcastle players in the process, before firing a shot on goal that skimmed the side-netting. His positioning and general reading of the game was impressive, too, providing his teammates with a reliable outlet on the left flank. Another respectable performance that vindicates Wenger’s decision to pick him.

The Scot is arguably Newcastle’s best attacking resource, with six assists this season, as many as the rest of his team combined, which was why his exclusion from the visitors’ starting XI raised a few eyebrows. With Newcastle currently stuck in a creative rut, the side rarely threatened Arsenal going forward and lacked any real ideas.

Ritchie’s introduction, in the 54th minute, helped revitalise the visitors - but only very briefly. After a promising spell from Newcastle, the player had a half-chance to equalise when he fired over from the edge of Arsenal’s box. Ritchie was ultimately unable to change his side’s fortunes but his contributions showed what his side were missing in the opening 45 minutes.

When Mesut Ozil fancies it, the sky is the limit for the German. Once again the midfielder offered fans a reminder of his supreme abilities with a wonderful first-half volley to put Arsenal ahead. Meeting a looping headed clearance on the edge of the Newcastle box, Ozil shuffled backwards, arced his leg and fired the ball into the back of the net. It was a stunning goal that very few Premier League players would be capable of emulating, such was the technical nature of the volley. A difficult strike made to look remarkably easy. Ozil at his best.

Another defeat. Another fruitless venture on the road. Today’s loss was Newcastle’s eighth from their last nine games, leaving the side in the relegation zone. Asides from the last 10 minutes, by which point it was too late, it was another limp and lifeless from Newcastle, who offered very little in this game. With large numbers behind the ball for much of the match, the side were incapable of penetrating Arsenal’s back line. When they did find possession, more often than not the options were simply not there. The chances they did have on goal were squandered. Despite the 1-0 goalline, there were very positives for Rafa Benitez to take from today’s clash. The light at the end of the tunnel remains well out of sight.