The Magpies sat deep and allowed their opposition to play their game at Emirates Stadium, in Eddie Howe’s first match in the dugout having missed his debut due to Covid-19.
Jonjo Shelvey forced Aaron Ramsdale into a spectacular save after a quit opening half-hour, his long-range drive requiring an acrobatic parry onto the crossbar.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang squandered the best chance of the half when Martin Dubravka diverted Emile Smith Rowe’s header straight to the Gabonese striker. Yet, from only two yards out, he placed his effort onto the post and it bounced wide.
Little changed after the break as Arsenal continued to gently probe and, after 56 minutes, it paid off. Nuno Tavares, wayward in the first-half, played an incisive ball into the path of Bukayo Saka and the young winger fired home at the near-post.
However, Saka was forced off with a muscle injury only moments later and Gabriel Martinelli came on in his place.
The Brazilian made use of his chance by latching onto a smart Martin Odegaard pass and delicately chipping the onrushing Dubravka as it dropped over his shoulder.
Arsenal put four points between themselves and the chasing pack with the win, remaining fifth and behind West Ham only on goal difference. Newcastle remain rooted to the bottom of the table, without a win all season.
