Rampant Arsenal remained hot on the heels of the top two in the title battle with an emphatic 4-1 victory over a struggling Newcastle United side in the premier league.
Arsenal opened the scoring after 18 minutes when the ball bounced off Newcastle defender Botman’s knee into his own goal following a goalmouth scramble after goalkeeper Loris karius made a fine save from a Gabriel header at a corner.
Arsenal’s domination was reflected in their 64% first-half possession with 12 goal attempts, including four on target, while Newcastle failed to register a shot in the opening period of a premier league game for the first time since March 2014.
Former Arsenal forward Willock got Newcastle on the scoresheet with a fine looping header into the far corner after 84 minutes following a pinpoint Dan Burn cross but by then it was all far too late for Eddie Howe’s floundering team.
Arsenal have scored 15 goals in their last three premier league games and the win over Newcastle was the perfect tonic following their late 1-0 loss at Porto in a disappointing champions league round-of-16 first-leg display in midweek.