Arsenal: 4 talking points from Newcastle win in Premier League

Arsenal secured a victory their brittle confidence desperately craved as goals from Mohamed Elneny and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang handed them a 2-0 Premier League success over Newcastle. Here are the talking points.

Mikel Arteta opted to make wholesale changes to his side from the one that lost 2-1 to Villarreal in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final tie, with only Martin Odegaard, Granit Xhaka and Dani Ceballos retaining their places.

It was a positive start from the visitors who saw the lion’s share of the ball for almost the entire afternoon, and unlike Arsenal have been unable to do throughout the season, they made their dominance count.

A first Premier League goal for Mohamed Elneny came after a neat passage of play, with the ball falling to the Egyptian who finished with aplomb on the half-volley.

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Arsenal: 4 talking points from Newcastle win in Premier League ahead of Villarreal in the Europa League

Untested by a meek Newcastle attack, the Gunners registered 13 shots in the opening 45 minutes in a fixture they were comfortably the better side in.

The second half was slightly more laboured from Arsenal but they got the second goal they needed to wrap the three points up after lovely work from both Gabriel Martinelli and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

A zinging cross from the Brazilian was met with equal grace from the captain, who got his customary goal against the Magpies to cement the confidence boosting win Mikel Arteta’s side needed ahead of Thursday.

Fabian Schar got himself sent off for a stupid late challenge, with the only downside for Arsenal being their torrid injury record continuing.

David Luiz Injury Hugely Damaging for Europa League

If anyone was dubious about what David Luiz can bring to this side, they need only watch the first half against Newcastle to have their questions answered.

The opening goal was borne out of the 34-year-old lofting a pass over the top for Hector Bellerin to run into, and his regularly accurate switches of play kept the opposition moving out of their shape.

It wasn’t some masterclass or exceptional display, but a perfect illustration of the progressive qualities that he offers. Therefore, his injury in the second half comes as another huge blow to Arsenal’s chances of navigating their way into the Europa League final.

A certain starter for that fixture if fit, the decision on who to field on Thursday becomes a tough one. All signs point towards Rob Holding returning into defence, although Calum Chambers showed composure once he moved into right centre-back – the latter offers better distribution on the ball.

In the end, however, Arsenal just can’t catch a break. This may well be Luiz’s last game for the club.

Mikel Arteta Keeps Granit Xhaka at Left-Back

A nothing fixture with so little to play for, Arteta had the chance to revert to a back four and move Xhaka into midfield, or leave him out entirely to give him rest for Thursday. He opted for neither.

Trying to dissect what the entails is the interesting part. Does sticking with the same system that was used in Spain indicate it will remain for the second leg or will the absence of Dani Ceballos for that fixture mean Arteta changes things around?

Indications will be that he wanted to maintain the structure and get everyone as familiar as possible with it in order to give it the best possible chance of success on Thursday.

Will Emile Smith Rowe assume the position the Spaniard had as the left-sided No. 8 tasked with giving Xhaka cover? That would be the obvious alteration although Mohamed Elneny putting in an impressive display also opens room for him to partner Thomas Partey.

Unai Emery knows how to hurt that setup as was done in the first leg with Samuel Chukwueze, and given there have been some mind games already with the supposed return to fitness of Alexandre Lacazette and Kieran Tierney, it may be another round of trying to outsmart the man in the opposite dugout.

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.

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.

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.