Arsenal 3-0 Newcastle: 4 Things We Learned From Magpies Win

Arsenal, in the end, ran out comfortable 3-0 winners against Newcastle on Monday to extend their Premier League unbeaten run to five matches, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang grabbing a brace.

The first half went by without much excitement, although Mikel Arteta‘s side could easily have gone into the break with their noses in front had Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang tucked away one of two good opportunities presented to him.

He made no mistake early in the second half as Thomas Partey broke the opposition press to then loft a ball through for him to fire home, before Hale End combined once again to see Bukayo Saka sweep home and put the game beyond doubt.

There was still time for a third as the impressive Cedric Soares laid the ball on a plate for the captain to notch his second of the evening, with Arsenal seeing out the game in total comfort from thereon in.

A vital win given the daunting set of fixtures coming up, here is what we learned from Monday’s victory.

Emile Smith Rowe Needs Wrapping in Cotton Wool

It’s hard not to wonder, is it? Where would Arsenal be if they’d have played with a No. 10 from the start of the season?

Regarding Emile Smith Rowe specifically, injuries hampered his beginning to the campaign and the belief that the new blood would provide the necessary spark in that area pushed his introduction back. With Willian joining it was felt that Arsenal had someone who could inject some creativity across the forward line and not just centrally, a vision that went hazy shortly after the opening day.

In the eyes of the manager the door hadn’t slammed shut on being creative in a flat 4-3-3 with three very similar central midfielders, while from the supporters’ point of view it became apparent very early on.

There is no point crying over spilled milk – or milk that wasn’t allowed to be spilled in the first place – and instead everything within Arsenal’s power must be done to protect Smith Rowe. Fortunately he earned some respite by not playing the full 90 minutes on Monday, while he’s also expected to get a rest in the FA Cup fourth round. But more is needed.

Whether that is a loan signing to ease the strain of playing in three competitions or setting out a plan based on the fixture schedule to manage his fitness, it’s evident how vital he now is.

Clean Sheet Record Needs Lauding Despite Poor Opposition

Remarkably, this is the first time in eleven years that Arsenal have kept five clean sheets in succession, with that previous run including the likes of Roma, Tottenham Hotspur, as well as four consecutive goalless draws in the Premier League.

This time, it goes without saying that playing three very negative-minded sides (Newcastle twice and West Brom) helps Arsenal’s case dramatically. There is always some luck needed, and the Gunners got some via a combination of the woodwork and poor finishing, but the run deserves all the credit it gets.

Bernd Leno has saved his side on a few occasions and continues to prove he’s a focussed, professional goalkeeper who can be called thrust into action even having spent 70 or so minutes untroubled.

The back four have played their part too, with Pablo Mari and Rob Holding striking a solid partnership, one based on balance of pressing and aerial solidity. Holding is excellent under pressure, complementing Mari who is more daring off the ball. Defensively both full-backs have been solid during the recent run, while Granit Xhaka has flipped his performances on the head with some impressive defensive steel.

You can only beat (stop) what’s in front of you and the performances of the defensive half of the team is rubbing off on the forwards, who look more confident as a result.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang Rediscovers Arsenal Mojo

At half-time there were few supporters who’d have backed the above statement. Seeing Aubameyang spurn one glorious chance before fluffing two more, it appeared that, if anything, he had lost his mojo.

Arteta highlighted the importance of the captain scoring his tap-in against Newcastle in the FA Cup, a goal he felt worthy of making the 31-year-old play a full 120 minutes on top of the 16 full Premier League matches (barring two minutes) he’d played already this season.

While it was hoped that goal would provide him with the confidence boost he needed, there were reservations about its impact. Racing on to Partey’s lofted through ball in the second half of Monday’s clash before beating Emil Krafth and firing into the roof of the net, there can be no doubting that goal will have made the world of difference.

It was his overall display that needed praising though, as he got more involved in dangerous attacking phases that saw him have the space to attack into where he thrives. Furthermore, he appeared more willing to make incisive runs whenever his teammates were on the ball as opposed to only when certain players assume possession.

Partey’s role in his body language helped. With a midfielder on the ball who looks forward in as few touches as possible, his head was always up. May his brace be first of many for the rest of the campaign.

Current Run Gives Season New Hope

Arsenal are unbeaten in five, a run that has featured victories against sides Arsenal are, admittedly, expected to beat. Newcastle are desperately poor, so too West Brom, while even Crystal Palace were content with shutting up shop and leaving north London with a point.

It’s a run that was imperative to, not rescuing the season, but putting Arsenal in a position where their destiny is in their own hands.

The next set of Premier League fixtures are going to define 2020/21. Five matches ago and the season was already sewn up for Arsenal, with a top ten finish the only conceivable achievement available.

Beating the teams they needed to, how many points are accrued in the coming weeks will determine whether European football is an obtainable goal. Not top four, as that is aiming too high, but a Europa League berth via the top six.

There is a newfound fluidity in attack, greater steel in defence and the balance of the team with near fully fit personnel is attributing to a stronger overall unit. Having players back from injury at the right time will aid any hopeful surge up the table. The momentum is there and the confidence high, putting Arteta’s men in as good of a position to tackle these fixtures head on than could’ve been envisaged pre-Christmas.