Arsenal player ratings vs Newcastle: Elneny and Aubameyang strike in win

Arsenal player ratings vs Newcastle: Mohamed Elneny and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang score in 2-0 Premier League win. (Photo by Lindsey Parnaby – Pool/Getty Images)

Arsenal secured a vital win for confidence as goals from Mohamed Elneny and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang saw off Newcastle 2-0 in the Premier League on Sunday.

Mikel Arteta had to lift his side up from their midweek disappointment against Villarreal and opted to make changes in his forward line with starts for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Willian and Gabriel Martinelli.

With no Joe Willock for the hosts due to the rules of his loan Newcastle had no control in midfield, which is precisely where the opening goal came from. Hector Bellerin was well found by David Luiz’s ball, and his cross into the box fell to Mohamed Elneny who struck a delightful half-volley through Martin Dubravka.

Arsenal were in control for the entirety of the first half, only surrendering pressure for short spells where the Magpies had no threat to show for it.

Arsenal player ratings vs Newcastle in the Premier League as Mohamed Elneny and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang secure 2-0 win

Mat Ryan was forced into a fine save to tip over Allan Saint-Maximin’s deflected effort while Elneny saw a header cleared off the line from Willian’s corner, in what was a comfortable 45 minutes for the visitors.

Shortly after the break Arsenal’s injury nightmare continued as David Luiz was forced off with a nasty looking hamstring injury, as the Gunners were losing some of their fluidity, going longer with their passes in the opening exchanges.

Without showing much after the break, two wonderful touches from Martinelli and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang settled any lasting nerves. The Brazilian’s lovely cross into the box was acrobatically finished by the captain to put the Gunners two in front.

Arsenal cruised from that point and were in no trouble, with substitute Fabian Schar sent off in the dying embers for a hideous challenge on Martinelli from behind.

Arsenal Goalkeeper & Defenders Ratings

Mat Ryan (GK) – 8/10 – A good outing for the Aussie in net saw him show composure with the ball at his feet as well as in hand. His handling was strong from crosses and he commanded his box better than he had done in his previous outings.

Hector Bellerin (RB) – 7/10 – Calum Chambers has moved ahead of Bellerin in the pecking order but the Spaniard will have given his manager food for thought with a decent outing at right-back. Tucking to midfield and running the channels with Willian out wide, he supported the attack well and made smart decisions with his running, although showed rustiness being caught of possession on a few occasions.

David Luiz (CB) – 7/10 – It’s so clear what he offers to the side that other central defenders can’t provide. Some of his distribution was excellent, whether raking diagonals or lofted passes over the top – namely in the build up to the opening goal – and were it not for a desperately unlucky hamstring strain he would have been a shoo-in to start against Villarreal on Thursday.

Gabriel (CB) – 7/10 – Coming into the side in place of Pablo Mari, Gabriel put in a solid afternoon’s work in the heart of defence. He kept both Callum Wilson and Saint-Maximin under wraps throughout, progressed the ball well and carried out of the back effectively.

Granit Xhaka (LB) – 7/10 – It was nervy times when the Swiss stupidly kicked out at Saint-Maximin when one too many tricks so him lose his temper. A needless foul resulted in an early yellow card and he was fortunate not to be sent for an early shower after another needless foul in the second half.

Did help feed Gabriel Martinelli well down the left flank all game.

Arsenal Midfielders Ratings

Mohamed Elneny (CM) – 7/10 – A first Premier League goal for Elneny! Protected the back three well enough and showed lovely technique for his goal, a confidence boost that will do him and Arsenal the world of good as he looks set to start alongside Thomas Partey on Thursday.

Dani Ceballos (CM) – 6/10 – Wasn’t offering Xhaka the support he needed even if Arsenal weren’t under serious threat. There wasn’t enough pace in his actions, holding onto the ball for too long at times and the additional touches before releasing slowed down proceedings. Overall, however, he had a decent enough afternoon and the aforementioned qualms are exacerbated by is reputation.

It doesn’t factor into his performance but there are numerous traits with Ceballos that are…unpleasant. The play acting is laughable and the audacious flicks make less impression on the game and strike as more of someone trying to impress.

Martin Odegaard (AM) – 6/10 – Didn’t do much wrong but equally wasn’t anywhere near as effective as he would have liked. The Norwegian showed some neat touches on the half-turn and found the right spaces, but with indifferent movement ahead of him and his lack of fitness showing in some of his touches, he wasn’t hugely effective. More of a passenger.

Needs to take a few more risks; try the passes his vision and talent is capable of.

Arsenal Forward Ratings

Willian (RW) – 5/10 – He’s just there. Willian offers this team nothing either as the connective piece of an attacking four or as the touchline-hugging wide man who never takes on his defender. On Sunday he would receive possession only to go back inside and slow the play down.

He played so close to Odegaard that no option was provided other than a slow wall pass, offering nothing to the attack.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (ST) – 7/10 – Dropped deep to link play well on occasion and got himself into dangerous positions in the box the forced two defenders to mark.

Wasn’t given much in the way of scoring opportunities but when one came he made the most of it after finishing magnificently from Martinelli’s lovely cross across the face. Feed him the chances (or just play a centre-forward) and Arsenal have far greater scope to win football matches.

Gabriel Martinelli (LW) – 7/10 – Really sharp performance from Martinelli who was lively down the left flank and regularly got the better of Jacob Murphy in their one-on-one duels.

His dribbling has improved ten-fold and his technical ability in possession caused Newcastle numerous problems. That close control is among one of numerous reasons why he should be featuring more often as that causes a disruption and uncertainty in opposition defenders that Arsenal have been lacking in the final third.

Produced a wonderful assist for the second goal.

Arsenal Substitutes Ratings

Calum Chambers – 6/10 – Did alright after coming on as he filled in at right centre-back, a position he knows well and had no trouble adjusting to.

It will be interesting to see whether Arteta plumps for Chambers in that position for Thursday or sticks with Rob Holding.

Nicolas Pepe – N/A – Didn’t see enough of the ball after coming on for a rating.

Thomas Partey – N/A – Was only on the pitch for seven minutes and does not receive a rating.