Half-Time Report: Arsenal 1-1 Newcastle United

Two goals in the space of 53 seconds see Arsenal and Newcastle United head into the break level at 1-1 in their match at the Emirates Stadium tonight.

The Gunners knew prior to kick-off that a win would see them move to within a point of north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the quest for third place.

However it was the Magpies, who have European hopes of their own, who took a 14th-minute lead.

French playmaker Hatem Ben Arfa was the goalscorer, as he cut inside from the right before firing a shot past Wojciech Szczesny at the near post.

Newcastle had barely finished celebrating when Arsenal equalised less than a minute later.

Robin Van Persie, who wasted an early chance for the hosts, controlled Theo Walcott's cross before turning cleverly and striking home from close range.

After such a frantic period, proceedings calmed down slightly and there were few opportunites for either side to take the lead into half time.

Arsenal's Dutch captain had a free-kick saved by international colleague Tim Krul while Jonas Gutierrez saw his effort deflected wide.

Click here for Sports Mole's live commentary of the second half.