• NEWCASTLE RATINGS: Martin Dubravka - 7: Got a hand to Elneny’s strike for opening goal but couldn’t keep it out and no chance with second. Acrobatic save from Xhaka strike from edge of box just before half hour. Getty
    NEWCASTLE RATINGS: Martin Dubravka - 7: Got a hand to Elneny’s strike for opening goal but couldn’t keep it out and no chance with second. Acrobatic save from Xhaka strike from edge of box just before half hour. Getty
  • Ciaran Clark - 6: Newcastle’s back three was left badly exposed by slack midfield performance but still made important tackles and interceptions. Reuters
    Ciaran Clark - 6: Newcastle’s back three was left badly exposed by slack midfield performance but still made important tackles and interceptions. Reuters
  • Paul Dummett - 6: Produced some much-needed no nonsense defending with Newcastle under siege at times. Whole-hearted performance as always. AFP
    Paul Dummett - 6: Produced some much-needed no nonsense defending with Newcastle under siege at times. Whole-hearted performance as always. AFP
  • Federico Fernandez - 5: Not his usual reliable self at the back and Newcastle generally looked short of a leader on the pitch. Booked on hour mark for clumsy foul on Xhaka after gifting Arsenal possession trying to play out from back. Reuters
    Federico Fernandez - 5: Not his usual reliable self at the back and Newcastle generally looked short of a leader on the pitch. Booked on hour mark for clumsy foul on Xhaka after gifting Arsenal possession trying to play out from back. Reuters
  • Jacob Murphy - 4: Shanked one early cross into stands in embarrassing fashion, failed to close down Xhaka allowing Swiss left-back free shot on goal from edge of box, and over-hit ball through that could potentially of put Wilson through. Had improved after break but then first-half tormentor Martinelli enjoyed time and space to provide cross for Arsenal’s second. EPA
    Jacob Murphy - 4: Shanked one early cross into stands in embarrassing fashion, failed to close down Xhaka allowing Swiss left-back free shot on goal from edge of box, and over-hit ball through that could potentially of put Wilson through. Had improved after break but then first-half tormentor Martinelli enjoyed time and space to provide cross for Arsenal’s second. EPA
  • Jonjo Shelvey - 4: Well off the pace and couldn’t handle Arsenal’s constant pressure in centre of park. Tried and generally failing with usual Hollywood passes. Didn’t look on same level as Gunners’ midfielders and not suited to a captain's role. Getty
    Jonjo Shelvey - 4: Well off the pace and couldn’t handle Arsenal’s constant pressure in centre of park. Tried and generally failing with usual Hollywood passes. Didn’t look on same level as Gunners’ midfielders and not suited to a captain's role. Getty
  • Sean Longstaff - 5: Another who struggled badly at times and failed to close down Elneny before Egyptian scored first goal. Brighter after break but distribution remains frustratingly inconsistent. Getty
    Sean Longstaff - 5: Another who struggled badly at times and failed to close down Elneny before Egyptian scored first goal. Brighter after break but distribution remains frustratingly inconsistent. Getty
  • Matt Ritchie - 7: Tried to get Newcastle on front foot in first half and showed more urgency in closing down opponents than some of his teammates. More of a leader than Shelvey and should be captaining team in Jamaal Lascelles' absence. Getty
    Matt Ritchie - 7: Tried to get Newcastle on front foot in first half and showed more urgency in closing down opponents than some of his teammates. More of a leader than Shelvey and should be captaining team in Jamaal Lascelles' absence. Getty
  • Miguel Almiron - 4: A couple of very heavy touches at start as Newcastle struggled to get foothold in match. Vital headed clearance off line to deny Elneny a second goal. Booked soon after and then gave away free-kick on edge of area just before break when he looked relieved to have avoided red. Disappointing from the Paraguayan. Getty
    Miguel Almiron - 4: A couple of very heavy touches at start as Newcastle struggled to get foothold in match. Vital headed clearance off line to deny Elneny a second goal. Booked soon after and then gave away free-kick on edge of area just before break when he looked relieved to have avoided red. Disappointing from the Paraguayan. Getty
  • Allan Saint-Maximin - 6: Had Newcastle’s only attempt on target when he kicked ball against own leg in first half only to see ball loop in the air and tipped over bar by Ryan. Arsenal didn’t allow Newcastle’s dangerman time on the ball and was passenger for much of game. Nearly sent ball flying out of St James’ Park with one late effort on goal. AFP
    Allan Saint-Maximin - 6: Had Newcastle’s only attempt on target when he kicked ball against own leg in first half only to see ball loop in the air and tipped over bar by Ryan. Arsenal didn’t allow Newcastle’s dangerman time on the ball and was passenger for much of game. Nearly sent ball flying out of St James’ Park with one late effort on goal. AFP
  • Callum Wilson - 5: Striker back in starting line-up for first time since February 6, but first big moment came at other end of pitch when he scrambled away Luiz header in six-yard box. Headed tough chance over bar from corner just before half-time. Cannot be blamed here as service from midfield was awful. EPA
    Callum Wilson - 5: Striker back in starting line-up for first time since February 6, but first big moment came at other end of pitch when he scrambled away Luiz header in six-yard box. Headed tough chance over bar from corner just before half-time. Cannot be blamed here as service from midfield was awful. EPA
  • SUBS: Fabian Schar – (On for Fernandez 74’) 4: The fact Swiss defender was back on pitch for first time since February was a rare bright spot for Magpies ... then he was shown straight red for poor challenge on Martinelli. PA
    SUBS: Fabian Schar – (On for Fernandez 74’) 4: The fact Swiss defender was back on pitch for first time since February was a rare bright spot for Magpies ... then he was shown straight red for poor challenge on Martinelli. PA
  • Joelinton – (On for Almiron 74’) 5: Match was over as contest when the Brazilian came on. AFP
    Joelinton – (On for Almiron 74’) 5: Match was over as contest when the Brazilian came on. AFP
  • Dwight Gayle – (On for Clark 85’) N/A. AFP
    Dwight Gayle – (On for Clark 85’) N/A. AFP
  • ARSENAL RATINGS: Mat Ryan - 7: Apart from tipping over Saint-Maximin shot in first half, was hardly tested over the 90 minutes. AFP
    ARSENAL RATINGS: Mat Ryan - 7: Apart from tipping over Saint-Maximin shot in first half, was hardly tested over the 90 minutes. AFP
  • Hector Bellerin - 7: His cross led to Elneny’s opening goal, then sliced a shot well wide minutes later from edge of area. Good performance down right from Spaniard. Getty
    Hector Bellerin - 7: His cross led to Elneny’s opening goal, then sliced a shot well wide minutes later from edge of area. Good performance down right from Spaniard. Getty
  • David Luiz - 8: Played ball out from back like a quarterback in early stages and started move for opening goal. Flicked header after 35 minutes had to be cleared away by Wilson. Tweaked his hamstring just after break and his return from injury lasted just 50 minutes. Getty
    David Luiz - 8: Played ball out from back like a quarterback in early stages and started move for opening goal. Flicked header after 35 minutes had to be cleared away by Wilson. Tweaked his hamstring just after break and his return from injury lasted just 50 minutes. Getty
  • Gabriel - 8: Handled threat of Magpie's attacking threat of Wilson and Saint-Maximin immaculately and was immense at the back. Headed chance from clever Odegaard free-kick over bar just after hour mark. Getty
    Gabriel - 8: Handled threat of Magpie's attacking threat of Wilson and Saint-Maximin immaculately and was immense at the back. Headed chance from clever Odegaard free-kick over bar just after hour mark. Getty
  • Mohamed Elneny - 7: Egyptian midfielder fired home first Premier League goal after five minutes and almost grabbed a second on the half-hour mark but Almiron cleared his header off line. EPA
    Mohamed Elneny - 7: Egyptian midfielder fired home first Premier League goal after five minutes and almost grabbed a second on the half-hour mark but Almiron cleared his header off line. EPA
  • Granit Xhaka - 6: Thoroughly deserved yellow card in first 20 minutes for hacking down Saint-Maximin. Given time and space to shoot from edge of area and force good save from Dubravka. Should have been sent-off 10 minutes into second half for blocking off Longstaff run. Reuters
    Granit Xhaka - 6: Thoroughly deserved yellow card in first 20 minutes for hacking down Saint-Maximin. Given time and space to shoot from edge of area and force good save from Dubravka. Should have been sent-off 10 minutes into second half for blocking off Longstaff run. Reuters
  • Dani Ceballos - 7: Excellent passing and movement that helped Arsenal control midfield from start to finish. AFP
    Dani Ceballos - 7: Excellent passing and movement that helped Arsenal control midfield from start to finish. AFP
  • Martin Odegaard - 7: Bright performance throughout from midfielder on loan from Real Madrid, quality first touch and some intricate passing. Played part in build-up for second goal. EPA
    Martin Odegaard - 7: Bright performance throughout from midfielder on loan from Real Madrid, quality first touch and some intricate passing. Played part in build-up for second goal. EPA
  • Willian - 6: Picked out Aubameyang with fine cross from left 20 minutes that striker turned wide. The only Arsenal outfield player not to attempt shot on goal in first half. Not really involved after break but Arsenal were strolling to three points anyway. Getty
    Willian - 6: Picked out Aubameyang with fine cross from left 20 minutes that striker turned wide. The only Arsenal outfield player not to attempt shot on goal in first half. Not really involved after break but Arsenal were strolling to three points anyway. Getty
  • Gabriel Martinelli - 8: Teenager made life very difficult for Murphy down Arsenal’s left with his speed and trickery. Supplied excellent, virtually unplayable cross for Aubameyang’s second. On receiving end of reckless challenge by Schar that saw Newcastle substitute sent-off. EPA
    Gabriel Martinelli - 8: Teenager made life very difficult for Murphy down Arsenal’s left with his speed and trickery. Supplied excellent, virtually unplayable cross for Aubameyang’s second. On receiving end of reckless challenge by Schar that saw Newcastle substitute sent-off. EPA
  • Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - 7: His fresh-air shot fortuitously helped set up Elneny for his goal and sent another shot wide with his shin from a Willian ball. Fine close-range volley on the stretch to put Arsenal 2-0 up after 66 minutes. Reuters
    Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - 7: His fresh-air shot fortuitously helped set up Elneny for his goal and sent another shot wide with his shin from a Willian ball. Fine close-range volley on the stretch to put Arsenal 2-0 up after 66 minutes. Reuters
  • SUBS: Calum Chambers – (On for Luiz 51’) 7: Called straight into action to hack clear dangerous Ritchie cross. Opposition attack was so poor was easy game to join. Reuters
    SUBS: Calum Chambers – (On for Luiz 51’) 7: Called straight into action to hack clear dangerous Ritchie cross. Opposition attack was so poor was easy game to join. Reuters
  • SUBS: Nicolas Pepe – (On for Aubameyang 78’) N/A. Getty
    SUBS: Nicolas Pepe – (On for Aubameyang 78’) N/A. Getty
  • Thomas Partey – (On for Odegaard 86’) N/A. Getty
    Thomas Partey – (On for Odegaard 86’) N/A. Getty

Football

Newcastle United v Arsenal player ratings: Jonjo Shelvey 4, Callum Wilson 5; Gabriel Martinelli 8, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Gunners stroll to victory with dominant display at St James' Park

Gareth Cox

May 02, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

Mohamed Elneny and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored either side of halftime as Arsenal cruised to a 2-0 away victory over Newcastle United in the Premier League on Sunday.

The visitors made a fast start and opened the scoring inside five minutes when Elneny scored his first Premier League goal from the edge of the box after Aubameyang failed to convert Hector Bellerin's cut back.

Arsenal lost defender David Luiz to injury but put the result beyond doubt through an acrobatic Aubameyang finish in the 66th minute as Mikel Arteta's side secured all three points to move up to ninth in the league table.

"This game showed our focus is still there in the Premier League," Arteta said.

"We believe that anything is possible if you're picking up points, and we wanted to put bad results out of the way.

"We had a great attitude, some moments of real quality and had total control from the start."

The hosts managed just one shot on target, and they lost substitute Fabian Schar to a straight red card in the 90th minute for a late challenge on Gabriel Martinelli.

"I have sympathy for Fabian Schar. He tries to win the tackle. Maybe a yellow card but certainly not a red," Newcastle manager Steve Bruce said.

Player ratings from the match can be seen in the picture gallery above. To view the next image, click on the arrows or swipe if on a mobile device.

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