Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli beat Newcastle, who did not win any | Premier League

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If this match is repeated next season, Newcastle may need some convincing to make the trip. They have lost 11 consecutive matches in the Emirates and on the basis of past performance and current form, most elements of their recent reversal can be predicted at first with confidence.

Arsenal weren’t particularly convincing but eventually proved to be very strong, scoring two goals in the third quarter of the match, and once Bukayo Saka put the team ahead, any doubts about the outcome were dismissed. Arsenal continue to identify less important tasks and keep designs in the top four, but Eddie Howe’s task metric is starkly defined.

His debut in the Newcastle technical area wasn’t a disqualifying disaster and, to be fair, he oversaw a competent first-half display that could have taken the lead. But Arsenal came back from the break in a significantly different style and deserved the win that his shift in tempo ensured, even if their opponents created a sense of injustice.

Shortly before Gabriel Martinelli confirmed the points, having just come in, Callum Wilson went to the ground under Nuno Tavares. The pair were side by side inside the penalty area, Wilson failed with a long shot, and the lasting impression was that Tavares was simply too powerful.

“The defining moment should have been Callum going through a one-on-one with a chance to tie and not take a penalty,” Howe said, though he admitted he only watched the incident in real time. “I can’t understand why Callum would go there if it wasn’t a mistake.”

After re-watching, he may accept that he was over-exciting things, as he was also describing Newcastle’s performance in the first and last thirds of the match as ‘very good’.

That’s understandable: Howe did not come to bury his new players and knows that confidence, which he said is low in a winning side, must be boosted ahead of Tuesday’s home game against Norwich that now assumes seismic proportions.

Gabriel Martinelli hits Martin Dubravka’s goal to double Arsenal’s lead against Newcastle. Photo: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

In the first 56 minutes, Howe walked and pointed hard at the touchline, perhaps eager to make up for lost time after missing the draw with Brentford due to Covid. Newcastle were compact enough but were punched by the excellent Saka.

The goal was superbly designed, as Saka grabbed the ball in a tight position on the left before finding Emile Smith Rowe, while his teammate tackled the ball, scrambled the ball.

Smith Rowe passed to Tavares and left-back, who was among the players, felt the “need for another chance” after Robbie’s performance at Liverpool, where he was able to locate a thrusting Saka with a deft right-footed pass. The angle was tight, but perfect for low-key driving in the far corner; Saka did just that, and Arsenal made a huge splash.

Saka stumbled after eight minutes, and Arteta said he “felt something muscular” and may need a diagnostic check. He was replaced by Martinelli and within 93 seconds the points were safe.

This time he was cleverly assisting with a broken pass from the right: Martinelli watched her fall over his shoulder and then helped her pass Martin Dubravka on volleyball, scoring for the first time since May.

“It’s a big moment and I’m especially happy for it,” said Arteta. “The technique is very high, when the ball flies over your head. To keep the ball low and enjoy that quality of finishing it is impressive.”

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could watch and take notes. The Arsenal captain had an unusual foul just before the break, hitting the post from close range after Dubravka parried Smith Roe’s header.

It seemed difficult not to register. His deviation was met with bewilderment and while it might be a debate for another day, he did little to dispel the nagging feeling that Arsenal should speed up their succession plan for the attacking midfield.

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Saka and Martin Odegaard, former players of Sambi Lukunga, came close, but Arteta agreed Arsenal lacked “urgency and some calm” in the opening period.

Newcastle fired a warning shot in the half hour when Jonjo Shelvey, from 25 yards, forced Aaron Ramsdale to flip over to the crossbar. It was a more credible turning point than Hao’s punishment complaint.

“You can achieve some great things in football if you all believe and stay united,” Howe said.

Staying awake, at this rate, would fit that definition and Newcastle would need a team collaboration away from Tyneside that would shed tears over their struggle. Landing, at least, will avoid more of the same old North London price.

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