Arsenal 3-0 Newcastle United: 5 talking points as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang brace leads Gunners to a comfortable victory | Premier League 2020-21

#3 Steve Bruce and Newcastle United have a lot to think about

This defeat to Arsenal has left Steve Bruce and Newcastle with a lot to ponder over

As far as pre-match preparation for a Premier League encounter goes, Newcastle United could scarcely have had a worse sequence of results leading up to their clash with the Gunners.

Not only had they been knocked out of the FA Cup by the same opposition less than 10 days ago, the Magpies had also suffered an embarrassing loss to bottom-of-the-table Sheffield United in their previous outing, handing the Blades their first win of the season.

What makes it even worse for Steve Bruce’s men is the fact that one would have to go all the way back to December 12, 2020 to reach Newcastle’s last victory. This is a worrying run of 9 winless games that includes a Carabao Cup quarter-final defeat at the hands of Championship side Brentford.

With goals not flowing at the attacking end of the pitch, the Magpies need to get their act together quickly as they continue an ominous slide towards the wrong end of the table.

#4 Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is slowly finding his goal-scoring touch once again

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is finding his scoring boots again

A goal deep into extra time in the FA Cup third-round encounter against Newcastle United marked the end of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s remarkable goal drought, the longest such spell of his Arsenal career.

Considering that his goals had led the side to several victories last season, including one in the FA Cup final, this season’s return has been extremely poor for the Arsenal skipper.

However, after a spell of having to switch between the centre-forward and left-wing roles, Aubameyang now seems to be finding some semblance of goal-scoring form from his position out on the flank.

The Gabon international took his time to grow into this game and passed up a number of opportunities to score in the first half, hitting both posts in addition to sending a couple of shots wide of the mark.

Indeed, when he left the field in the 79th minute after scoring a second-half brace, he would no doubt have felt that he could have easily bagged a hat-trick against a disjointed defensive unit.

4 - Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has either scored (4) or assisted (2) in six of his seven games against Newcastle in all competitions, finding the net in each of his last four against the Magpies. Breakthrough. #ARSNEW pic.twitter.com/HvC7S2k95R

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 18, 2021

However, finding the net once again will serve as a much-needed confidence booster for the Arsenal striker and could possibly be the start of a run of goal-scoring returns in the second half of this season.

#5 A fit Thomas Partey is key to Arsenal’s continued success

A fit-again Thomas Partey was a welcome addition to the Arsenal midfield

After making a long-awaited return from injury in their 0-0 draw against Crystal Palace, Arsenal were able to bring in summer signing Thomas Partey from the start against Newcastle United.

The Ghana international has been extremely impressive in his short stint as an Arsenal player, with regular injuries having halted his progress.

However, Partey has been able to bounce back from his injury layoffs and hit top form almost effortlessly as he once again delivered a performance that showcased his ability.

Partnering Granit Xhaka in midfield, Partey essayed not just the role of midfield enforcer by making a series of timely interceptions, but also acted as creator, showcasing his precise passing in the game and even claiming the assist for Aubameyang’s opener.

Even Mikel Arteta seems to have realised the benefits of being able to field a fully-fit Partey in the starting line-up every week as the Spaniard was quick to take him off once his side had doubled their lead.

If Partey is able to put in displays of this level regularly, things will only look up for Arsenal as they aim to attack the second half of the season with a renewed vigour.