Arsenal’s free-scoring Premier League form continued as Newcastle were blown away 4-1 at the Emirates to move back within two points of leaders Liverpool.
Mikel Arteta’s men stumbled to a 1-0 Champi-ons League defeat at Porto in midweek, but were quickly back on the horse domestically to take their tally to 25 goals in six consecutive Premier League wins.
Arsenal’s prowess from set-pieces forced an own goal from Sven Botman before Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Jakub Kiwior from another corner killed off Newcastle.
“We continued in the same way, we maintained our rhythm and it was a joy to watch the team play,” said Arteta. “The boys were really good, really aggressive and we deserved to win the game.”
The Gunners are aiming to win a first league title in 20 years and keen to make amends for faltering down the final straight last season as Manchester City stormed clear on their way to win the treble.
Arsenal are the side in red hot form but remain in third, one point behind second-placed City, with the title race fascinatingly poised 12 games from the end of the season.
Defeat is another blow to Newcastle’s aspiration of European football next season. Eddie Howe’s men were outclassed to remain down in eighth, 15 points adrift of the top four, and have now conceded 23 goals in their last eight league games.
“We were off in most aspects of our game. We didn’t do the basics right,” said Howe.
“Sometimes away from home you have those spells in the game and you have to weather the storm. Unfortunately we didn’t do that and we conceded some bad goals.”
