Arsenal got a pair of goals in the second half from Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli as they took down still winless Newcastle, 2-0. Saka was awarded Man of the Match for his performance.
Newcastle remain the only winless club in the top four divisions, with no projected change in direction.
“In the second half we changed a few things,” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said. “Our purpose, our rhythm was much better and we started to generate chances and managed to score two. It was great. We needed some creativity and spark and when that happened we were able to get the second goal.”
Saka scored in the 56th minute, with Tavares recording the assist. 66th minute, Tomiyasu assists Martinelli. Arsenal’s fullbacks helped make Saturday’s win look easy.
Martinelli came on as a second-half substitute and immediately helped with the team’s attacking energy.
“Gabby is a pleasure to work with. He deserves a chance and he’s a goal threat and it wasn’t an easy goal,” Arteta added.
He scored within 93 seconds of entering the pitch.
“As I always say, even if I play two, five or ten minutes, I’m always ready to play and show something to the manager and the team and for the fans as well,” Martinelli said. “I love the fans, I’m so happy to be here, playing for this club and I’m so happy for the victory.”
Eddie Howe’s Magpies were competitive in the first half, as they often are, but the Gunners found a way to open things up in the middle a bit more efficiently in the second half.
“I thought that it was good for the first 30-35 minutes,” Howe said after the loss. “I thought we were solid but creaked a little bit before half-time with Arsenal on top and probably the same after half-time until the goal.”
Arsenal, whose 10-match unbeaten run came to an end last week vs Liverpool, dominated this match from the outset. They got back on track to remain in the hunt atop the PL table.
“I think this victory was everyone, not just me or B [Saka] that scored the goals, it was everyone – the team, the staff, the fans, everyone was part of this,” Martinelli added.
Newcastle will keep looking for their first league win in just a few days vs Norwich City (30 November). Arsenal get set for a marquee matchup vs Manchester United on Thursday, 2 December.
