A single goal from Laurent Koscielny was enough to see Arsenal stay top of the Premier League table with a 1-0 victory over a struggling Newcastle United.
Both sides started brightly with chances from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Georginio Wijnaldum which proved to be the only shots of any recognition in the opening 45 minutes. It was the away side who had a brighter start to the second period with great opportunities for Wijnaldum and Aleksandar Mitrovic but couldn’t capitalise.
They were punished when Koscielny struck home in the 72nd minute. Mitrovic, Aaron Ramsey and Mesut Özil had opportunities towards the end of the contest but the Gunners had done enough to get the three points.
Promising start
The hosts got off to a firing start having their first opportunity in the third minute. Hector Bellerin had acres of space on the right and had the time to drag it back to Oxlade-Chamberlain, but a poor connection saw his effort go wide.
Despite their early opening, Arsenal found themselves very much on the back foot for the rest of the 45 minutes as Steve McClaren’s side had a host of chances.
The first came 16 minutes in when Wijnaldum forced Petr Cech to parry his glancing header away from goal. The rebound fell to Mitrovic who managed to pull it back for Jack Colback, though his effort was easy for the 'keeper.
Arsenal came back slightly towards the end of the first period when Oxlade-Chamberlain managed to find Oliver Giroud and he got a shot away; Fabricio Coloccini was quickly across to make the block, however.
Cech was called into action right at end to make a crucial double save. The first proved to be easy as Mitrovic’s attempt at an over-head kick fell straight into his arms. He was alert again a minute later when Wijnaldum was played through but he came flying off his line to prevent the low drive.
Dominating Magpies
Newcastle continued their dominance into the second period and should have taken the lead in the 48th minute.
Wijnaldum managed to break down the Arsenal defence and was bearing down on goal, but once again Cech did brilliantly to stand up and block his effort.
They missed a howler a minute later when Ayoze Perez’s attempted shot at goal fell into the path of Mitrovic. The striker - somehow - managed to lift his effort over the crossbar from five yards.
The visitors continued to dominate as the game drew close to the end when defender Chancel Mbemba had a free header. He couldn’t keep his effort on target and the Magpies were left to rue their numerous efforts in the end.
Koscielny strikes home
Arsenal were on the back foot for the majority of the game but, with one of their handful of opportunities, they managed to take the lead late on.
The corner from Özil was headed into the air by Giroud, who managed to head goalwards at the second time of asking. It feel perfectly into the path of the oncoming Koscielny who got in front of the defender to tap it home.
Final opportunities
Arsenal awoke in the final ten minutes and had two great chances to kill the game off as it entered extra-time.
The best of which fell to Ramsey, as he did excellently to beat two defenders and only had Rob Elliot to beat, only to screw it wide of the far post.
The final chance fell to the inform Özil, who looked certain to beat Elliot. He found the side-netting but luckily for Arsenal they had done enough to get the three points.