Arsenal 3-0 Newcastle: Aubameyang brace helps Gunners ease to victory

Mikel Arteta's Gunners score three without reply against the Magpies on Monday evening at the Emirates

Arsenal v Newcastle United - Premier League

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 18: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal celebrate with Mohamed Elneny, Rob Holding, Gabriel Martinelli and David Luiz of Arsenal following their side's victory in during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Newcastle United at Emirates Stadium on January 18, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around England remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

By Layth Yousif19 January 2021 11:47 BST

Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang got back on the scoresheet after grabbing a brace twice as Mikel Arteta's side eased past Newcastle 3-0 to move into the top half of the Premier League.

Story of the match

It was a good night all round for Aubameyang, the former Borussia Dortmund striker - who had earlier thudded the woodwork in the first half - after he opened the scoring five minutes after the break to make it 1-0, when he beat Newcastle goalkeeper Karl Darlow.

The home side ramped up the pressure on the beleaguered boss of the visitors Steve Bruce when they doubled their lead as Emile Smith-Rowe's pullback found Bukayo Saka and the teenage England international side-footed the ball into the net.

Aubaymeyang notched his second and the Gunners' third after Cedric Soares - starting his first league game of the season, raced to the byline to feed the Gabon international.

Another player who caught the eye for Arsenal was Thomas Partey who impressed in the heart of battle with defensive discipline, intelligent positioning and a willing to receive the ball in tight corners, while happily prompting attacks for colleagues further forward - not to mention an assist for Aubameyang's opener.

Miguel Almiron had Newcastle's best chance but shot over from the edge of the penalty area at 0-0.

The win moves Arsenal above Aston Villa into 10th, with the Gunners seven points adrift of fourth-placed Liverpool in the last Champions League qualifying spot.

Newcastle are 15th, seven points clear of 18th-placed Fulham, albeit with the west Londoners having a game in hand.

With Bruce facing renewed calls for his sacking following on from the dire 1-0 loss to bottom-of-the-table Sheffield United last week, his side have now not won in nine matches in all competitions.

After dispatching Newcastle for the second time in nine days, Arteta's side await the winners of the delayed Shrewsbury vs Southampton FA Cup match before they find out who they will face in the fourth round on Saturday lunchtime.

For Bruce's Newcastle, after another miserable defeat in north London the season just got tougher.