Stuart Attwell was the Premier League referee at the centre as North London giants Arsenal consolidated fifth place on the log by beating bottom team Newcastle United at home to return to winning ways after the disappointing Liverpool result from last weekend.
Arsenal were the better of the two teams and the scoreline could have been more emphatic if not for some poor finishing on the part of their attackers. Club skipper Pierre-EmerickAubameyang is the major culprit after he missed an open goal four minutes from the interval. His shocking miss ensured that both hosts Arsenal and Newcastle United went into the break without a goal. Gunners shot stopper Aaron Ramsdale also played his part after he stunningly pushed a JonjoShelvey shot onto the post and out of play.
Newcastle United were organised in the first half under new manager Eddie Howe, but they could not sustain it into the second half as Arsenal tore their defence apart in the first twenty-one (21) minutes of the second half.
Arsenal took the lead with eleven (11) second half minutes on the clock through Bukayo Saka as he finished off a flowing move. The penalty appeal incident was shortly before the Gunners descended on their visitors courtesy Gabriel Martinelli. Martinelli came on for Saka who could not continue because of an injury. Brazilian footballer Martinelli scored the all-important second goal 89 seconds after coming on for Saka.
Arsenal were able to return to winning ways with the Newcastle United result. Also, the Gunners are off the top four on goal difference.
