Five things we learned from Arsenal’s 2-0 victory over Newcastle

Arsenal eventually sailed to a 2-0 victory over Newcastle at the Emirates on Saturday as Gabriel Martinelli staked his claim and Bukayo Saka was forced off with an injury.

It proved to be a frustrating first half for the Gunners in north London, with Aaron Ramsdale once again bailing his team out with a top save from Jonjo Shelvey’s long-range effort before Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang somehow missed from a few yards out.

After Martin Dubravka sprang up to make a top stop from Emile Smith Rowe’s header not long before half-time, the ball dropped to Aubameyang with the majority of his goal at his mercy, but the captain couldn’t convert the gilt-edged chance.

Arsenal’s academy graduate Saka once again produced the goods in the second half to give the Gunners their lead as he finished a fine move involving him, Smith Rowe and Nuno Tavares.

In a potential blow for Mikel Arteta ahead of his side’s meeting with Manchester United next week, Saka was forced off with a muscular problem, with Gabriel Martinelli brought on his place.

A matter of moments after coming on, Martinelli volleyed home a Takehiro Tomiyasu lofted through ball to wrap up the win in style.

Although the Premier League’s bottom club Newcastle struggled to cause the Gunners many problems, Arteta will have plenty to ponder on as his side bounced back from their 4-0 defeat to Liverpool last week.

Gabriel Martinelli stakes a claim

The Brazilian burst onto the scene in his first season at the Emirates, but since returning from a knee injury last season, he hasn’t been able to get back into the side on a regular basis.

Martinelli has been afforded opportunities in the Carabao Cup, but not quite done enough to warrant a start in the side ahead of the likes of Saka or Smith Rowe.

However, the 20-year-old once again proved why the…