Arsenal kept pace in the race for the Premier League title with an impressive win over Newcastle at the Emirates to stay within two points of leaders Liverpool.
The Gunners come into this grudge match despite starting the calendar year in incredible form in the Premier League, defeating Crystal Palace, Nottingham Forest, Liverpool, West Ham and Burnley by a combined score of 21-2. is. Disappointing fashion after losing to Porto in the Champions League late in midweek.
But they put that behind them with an enthralling performance that highlighted the gulf between them and an inferior Newcastle side.
arsenal After a great start, they soon found a breakthrough from a familiar spot, with Gabriel heading in from a corner kick, but it was ultimately Sven Botman who got the final touch to send it over the line.
Six minutes later, Kai Havertz made it 2-0 with a close-range finish after some great work from Jorginho and Gabriel Martinelli. Shortly after, Bukayo Saka and Jakub Kivioglu scored further goals.
Newcastle were laughably off-pace throughout the game and were unable to weather Arsenal's storm, but former mainstay Joe Willock scored a stunning goal six minutes before the end to secure a comfortable victory.
This victory moved them within two points of leaders Liverpool, and one point behind second-place Manchester City, who have the highest goal difference in the division.
After a light show and pre-match tifo, Arsenal set the pace with Declan Rice off the pitch, playing high up in midfield with Jorginho back on the wing and stinging the palm of Loris Karius.
They took the lead again with a set piece, but this time Karius made a good save from Gabriel's powerful header, and Tino Livramento, who was trying to get off his line, deflected the ball back from the prone Botman. .
Shortly after, the lead increased to two points, and this time Jorginho, who was named Man of the Match, made a free-flowing move with a well-placed pass to Gabriel Martinelli, whose cross passed to Havertz for 6. He returned home with a free score. A few yards away.
Arsenal should have attacked again soon after when Martin Odegaard pressed the ball away from Fabian Schaar inside the Newcastle box, but his pass to Havertz was cleared behind for a corner kick. .
Still, Arsenal pressed, Newcastle tensed and Saka went close, but Karius again made a smart stop and the home side comfortably took the lead just before half-time.
Havertz should have grabbed his second goal of the night when he slipped in Martinelli early in the second half, but his finish went wide of the post.
It was the first time in nearly a decade that Newcastle failed to get a shot on target in the first half of a Premier League match.
Anthony Gordon finally tested David Raya in the 49th minute when Alekander Isak sent a rare forward shot for the visitors over the bar.
However, hopes of an enthusiastic turnaround were quickly dashed as Arsenal's third goal was scored just after the opening minute.
Saka was played on the right wing and took a curling shot, which somehow avoided two clearances from the Newcastle defense and slotted into the corner of the net.
Things got even better for Arsenal when Kivior's header from Rice's corner was unluckily deflected away by Lewis Miley.
Both teams made a number of changes, but Newcastle got on the scoresheet with five minutes left, with former Arsenal youngster Willock superbly heading Dan Byrne's cross home.
Arsenal almost added a fifth goal late in the second half through Emile Smith Rowe, but Byrne beat Karius in a well-placed position and cleared his line.
However, it meant little as the home team easily survived the remaining stoppage time to secure an impressive victory.
