Pain in the Arsenal
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Arsenal: 4 talking points from Newcastle win in Premier League

By Ross Kennerley

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)
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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Arsenal, Mohamed Elneny
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – MAY 02: Mohamed Elneny (R) of Arsenal celebrates with team mate Gabriel Martinelli after scoring their side’s first goal during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Arsenal. (Photo by Lee Smith – Pool/Getty Images) /

Near Perfect Preparation Ahead of Villarreal

Prior to kick-off, what aspirations fans and players would have had for this game wouldn’t have differed too much from what transpired.

Arsenal were in total control for the entire 90 minutes, keeping Newcastle at arms length and never needing to go out of second gear to secure three points. For confidence a win was essential, so too a clean sheet, and to do so without being troubled was exactly what the doctor ordered.

Furthermore, Elneny, who may start on Thursday, getting a goal will boost his self-belief if he is to feature and the same can be said of the captain.

Aubameyang was able to get a good run out on his return to the starting lineup as he recovers from the lasting effects of malaria, and to top if off with a goal is ideal as he looks certain to be in from the start against Villarreal.

Even in defence Hector Bellerin offered a different skillset to Calum Chambers and Arteta may feel inclined to change his personnel, while Willian was especially anonymous which means he certainly won’t start on Thursday, another bonus.

Next. Player ratings vs Newcastle. dark

The only downside, of course, was the injury to Luiz. Lady Luck has abandoned Arsenal in recent weeks. Thursday is a monumental encounter. Every inch of preparation for the first leg had been shockingly bad, and while a 2-0 win over a poor side isn’t going to alter the course drastically, it sure won’t have hurt.

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