A second-half goal from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has earned Arsenal a 1-0 win over Newcastle United in Sunday's Premier League game at St James' Park.
Newcastle perhaps shaded the opening 45 minutes, with Jonjo Shelvey going closest with a volley which struck the outside of the post.
However, the Magpies offered little after the break, leaving Arsenal to seal all three points courtesy of a neat finish from Aubameyang just before the hour mark.
Find out how all of the action unfolded in the North-East courtesy of Sports Mole's minute-by-minute updates below.
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the Premier League fixture between Newcastle United and Arsenal. Both of these clubs have made major additions during the summer transfer window, but who will come out on top at St James' Park? As the players make their way out onto the pitch, let's see who features in each starting lineup...
NEWCASTLE UNITED XI: Dubravka; Lascalles, Schar, Dummett; Manquillo, Hayden, Longstaff, Shelvey, Ritchie; Almiron; Joelinton
NEWCASTLE UNITED SUBSTITUTES: Darlow, Clark, Fernandez, Krafth, Willems, Saint-Maximin, Muto
ARSENAL XI: Leno; Maitland-Niles, Chambers, Sokratis, Monreal; Guendouzi, Xhaka; Nelson, Willock, Mkhitaryan; Aubameyang
ARSENAL SUBSTITUTES: Martinez, Luiz, Torreira, Ceballos, Pepe, Martinelli, Lacazette
KICKOFF: Arsenal get us underway at a wet St James' Park!
Both teams have made a relatively positive start in the North-East. It looks like Newcastle will aim to get Joelinton involved as soon as possible.
Arsenal have got their foot on the ball now, though. There isn't a whole lot of intent, but they are at least settling into the contest.
There's a brief period of excitement as Almiron attempts to bulldoze his way down the right flank, but Arsenal keep the playmaker away from the penalty area.
While we are still awaiting a shot of any note, it feels like we are on the brink of something happening at either end. That said, no-one has really stood out so far.
Arsenal are having the better of possession now. It's partly due to Newcastle sitting so deep, with three central midfielders in front of three centre-backs. There's not a lot of room for the visitors, unless they remain by the halfway line.
Ritchie attempts to get something going down the left flank, but it only leads to Arsenal gaining a goal kick.
Willock shows his quality going forward with a burst down the left-hand side, but Schar comes across to commit the foul. A yellow card should have followed, but the referee thought otherwise.
The best move of the match comes through Maitland-Niles, who gets down the right and cuts inside Ritchie. His cutback is flicked on towards the six-yard box, but Newcastle make the clearance.
CHANCE! This is only a half-chance, but Joelinton will expect to do better. Ritchie's cross got a slight deflection but Joelinton was still able to get a header towards goal, which went just wide of the far post.
YELLOW CARD! The first caution of the game goes to Almiron, who has just dived to try to win a penalty. The referee didn't require VAR to make that call. That's how blatant it was.
OFF THE POST! So close for Newcastle! The ball drops invitingly for Shelvey on the edge of the area, and the midfielder sees a volley deflected onto the outside of the post.
The Magpies are beginning to up the tempo. A corner from the right needed to be defended well by the Gunners, before Shelvey's volley from the edge of the box was blocked.
CHANCE! This is a bit of a waste from Mkhitaryan. Monreal does well to keep hold of the ball after advancing into the penalty area, and his cutback finds Mkhitaryan, who at the very least should hit the target from 12 yards. However, a first-time strike is sent well over the crossbar.
YELLOW CARD! Nelson follows Almiron into the book for a very late challenge on Schar. Another easy call for the referee.
CHANCE! Joelinton almost announces himself in style, shaking off the attention of Guendouzi, Xhaka and Sokratis before firing a volley too close to Leno from 15 yards.
As we approach the half-hour mark, you'd have to say that Newcastle have been the better team, but Arsenal are certainly offering more in the final third than they were earlier in the contest.
SHOT! Arsenal win a free kick in a central position around 50 yards from goal. Nelson's set piece is poor but it still finds Xhaka, who can only send a header harmlessly wide from 20 yards out.
CHANCE! The Gunners come again with Mkhitaryan picking out the run of Aubameyang, who had got behind Lascelles. The Gabon international controlled the ball to set up a volley, but his effort was too close to Dubravka.
It is still tipping it down with rain at St James' Park. It hasn't hindered the quality of the game, however. Infact, you could say that it has added to the spectacle.
We are going through a bit of a lull in proceedings. Maitland-Niles has also required some treatment, but he should be fine to continue.
YELLOW CARD! The third booking of the game goes to Mkhitaryan, who went in late on Joelinton on the flank. Again, another easy decision for the referee.
SHOT! This is speculative from Almiron, who tries his luck from 30 yards. His left-footed curler is never threatening the back of the net, however.
We haven't see much goalmouth action over the last 10 minutes, but Mkhitaryan has managed to win a corner for Arsenal.
Nothing came from the resulting set piece, despite the best efforts of Sokratis at the back post. Aubameyang attempted to retrieve the situation, but he was soon crowded out.
There will be two minutes of added-on time. I don't know where that has come from...
HALF TIME: Newcastle United 0-0 Arsenal
The half-time whistle goes at St James' Park and we remain goalless. Both sides have had their moments in the North-East, although there have been large periods without much happening. Changes from either side probably aren't too far away.
A quick reminder of the two benches...
NEWCASTLE UNITED SUBSTITUTES: Darlow, Clark, Fernandez, Krafth, Willems, Saint-Maximin, Muto
ARSENAL SUBSTITUTES: Martinez, Luiz, Torreira, Ceballos, Pepe, Martinelli, Lacazette
Sports Mole will be providing full coverage of the encounter between Manchester United and Chelsea from 4.25pm onwards. Interested in reading our in-depth preview ahead of the game at Old Trafford? You can do so by clicking here.
KICKOFF: Newcastle get us back underway.
Both teams have returned for the second half looking to go on the attack. Newcastle, inparticular, appear keen to commit more men forward.
Mkhitaryan bursts forward through the centre of the pitch but not for the first time, the Armenian's end product leaves a lot to be desire, with a pass towards Nelson being over-hit.
SHOT! A clever pass down the left-hand side releases Aubameyang, but the forward's deflected shot from an acute angle lands on top of the crossbar. From the resulting corner, Xhaka's glancing header goes just wide of the far post.
SUBSTITUTION! Newcastle make the first change of the game, with Willems taking the place of Shelvey.
It can't be much longer until we see a change from Arsenal. Ceballos and Pepe are the most likely candidates, you would think.
GOAL! NEWCASTLE UNITED 0-1 ARSENAL (PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG)
© Reuters
GOAL! This match had gone a bit flat, but Arsenal have now taken the lead. Maitland-Niles found some space down the right and after picking out Aubameyang with a clever pass over the head of Lascelles, the striker took one touch to control and another to flick the ball over Dubravka from 12 yards.
Newcastle may have to change something to get back into this game. Their current formation is restrictive, and they will continue to create little with Arsenal naturally sitting a bit deeper given their narrow advantage.
We are only 4,000 down on capacity this afternoon as a result of a partial boycott, but you could hear a pin drop at St James' Park. Newcastle need to find a second wind.
SUBSTITUTION! Arsenal make their first alteration as Ceballos comes on for Willock. The youngster has made another positive impression this afternoon.
SUBSTITUTION! A second change for Newcastle sees Saint-Maximin come on for Longstaff.
The summer signing quickly gets himself involved by producing a teasing cross from the right, and it forces Arsenal to concede a corner at the back post. A second set piece follows the first, but Arsenal survive.
SUBSTITUTION! It's time for Pepe, who is being introduced for Nelson. His introduction gets a big cheer from the travelling support.
YELLOW CARD! Before that, Saint-Maximim picked up a yellow card for mistiming a tackle with Xhaka.
We are still lacking in sustained action in either final third. Aside from through Saint-Maximin, Newcastle are not showing a lot of urgency.
Arsenal are beginning to get hold of the ball again and it has to be said, they look comfortable. They are not being pressurised, even when having possession in their own half of the pitch.
The home supporters are doing what they can to encourage their players but as of yet, they have failed to responded. They have, however, switched to a back four.
YELLOW CARD! Xhaka is the next player to go into the book for a late challenge on Schar, who is now playing at right-back.
Just the eight minutes to go now. Everyone - Arsenal included - are waiting for Newcastle to rally, but they simply aren't offering anything going forward.
SHOT! Better from Newcastle as Saint-Maximin works a chance for himself on the edge of the area, but his low strike is comfortably saved by Leno.
SUBSTITUTION! This is an interesting one. Arsenal's final alteration sees youngster Martinelli replace Mkhitaryan.
SHOT! Schar has just tried his luck from 35 yards. This is how desperate it is getting for Newcastle. The defender's shot went about five yards over the crossbar.
SHOT! Saint-Maximin creates another opportunity for Newcastle, with Joelinton being given the chance to shoot from distance. The Brazilian's shot goes several yards off target, though.
There will be four minutes of added-on time.
Arsenal win a free kick in the left-hand corner of the pitch, but they are unsuccessful when it comes to keeping hold of the ball. However, after Newcastle's clearance, the Gunners regain possession.
FULL TIME: Newcastle United 0-1 Arsenal
The full-time whistle goes at St James' Park and Arsenal have comfortably held on to secure all three points against Newcastle. Aubameyang's goal made the difference, but Emery will equally be delighted with a clean sheet on the road.
That will be all from Sports Mole for this match. Thank you for joining us this afternoon and we hope to see you again soon.
If you would like to read our on-the-whistle match report, you can do so by clicking here. Goodbye for now.
Written by
Darren Plant
Darren Plant
