Arsenal: 4 talking points from Newcastle win in Premier League

Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta reacts during the English Premier League football match between Newcastle United and Arsenal at St James' Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, north east England on May 2, 2021. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by LEE SMITH / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by LEE SMITH/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

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NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – MAY 02: Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal looks to cross the ball whilst under pressure from (L – R) Federico Fernandez and Jacob Murphy of Newcastle. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) /

Gabriel Martinelli Looks Sharp in Win

With both Aubameyang and Martinelli in the side, how the game would play out was obvious: Aubameyang would start up front and given his recent illness would come off with 20 minutes to go for the Brazilian to shift into centre-forward.

Arsenal’s best performer on the day, Martinelli looked sharp throughout as he caused Jacob Murphy problems down the left side. His technique in possession is excellent and the ball sticks to him like glue. It was a very solid afternoon of work.

Will that be enough for him to earn a place in the team for Thursday? Despite being energetic, lively and threatening in the final third, the assumption is always that he will be a weapon coming off the bench.

It’s a brave man who drops Nicolas Pepe after his outing in the first leg, and the decision on who to field on the left flank – Smith Rowe also features in that conversation – is a good headache to have.

However, whether on the left or down the middle, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to find an excuse for Martinelli not to start. Doing all the simple elements right as he did on Sunday, which precious few players did in midweek, he’s an asset to an attack in sore need of energising. His excellent outing can’t go unnoticed.

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