Arsenal went goal crazy for the third league game in a row to thrash Newcastle United 4-1, and keep pace with Liverpool and Manchester City at the top of the Premier League.
A Sven Botman own goal on 17 minutes got the ball rolling before Kai Havertz added a second six minutes later, meaning that Arsenal’s 12-game unbeaten home record against the Geordies never really came under threat.
After the interval, Bukayo Saka scored for the fifth Premier League game in succession.
Jakub Kiwior swiftly added a fourth as the club clocked up 15 goals in their last three matches.
Even though former Gunner Joe Willock netted a late consolation, nothing could spoil a tremendous display from Mikel Arteta’s men.
The boss called for the Emirates atmosphere to be ramped up ahead of the game, and the home supporters responded to the call by boisterously backing their boys in the early stages, spurring them on to completely dominate the first half.
All the action in the opening 45 was in the Newcastle half with Eddie Howe’s team sitting deep and attempting to soak up pressure.
However, it wasn’t as effective as in recent meetings between the teams as Saka and Declan Rice both fired straight at Loris Karius early on, who was making his first Premier League appearance since 2018.
But on 17 minutes, Arsenal took the lead – albeit through a visiting defender.
Arsenal’s set-piece practice came to the fore again when Saka fizzed a dangerous delivery into the area for Gabriel to head goalwards powerfully, but Karius made a solid save to keep it out.
His defenders panicked with the ball bouncing on their goalline, and Tino Livramento tried to clear but it struck Botman and Karius was unable to prevent the ricochet from crossing the line as the Gunners took a deserved lead.
Havertz scored again to raise the decibel levels further, and six minutes later they reached record highs when the Gunners doubled our advantage.
A gorgeous chipped pass from Jorginho over the backline fell nicely for Gabriel Martinelli who got to the byline and cut the ball back into space, which Havertz seized to finish a nice move and score in successive league outings.
Newcastle failed to register a shot in the first half, meaning the victory virtually seemed in the bag at the break.
It was nearly sealed 90 seconds after the restart when Havertz was sent through on goal but a big chance went begging when he scuffed wide of the far post.
But the win was sealed midway through the second half when Saka continued his goalscoring purple patch.
Some slack Newcastle passing in the final third was punished and the ball found its way out to Arsenal’s No. 7 on the right, but he turned Livramento inside and out before accurately slipping the ball into the bottom corner despite a tight angle.