Arsenal have moved two points clear at the top of the Premier League table with a 1-0 win over Newcastle United.
Newcastle dominated the opening 45 minutes as the Gunners struggled to create anything of note in the final third, and a similar pattern continued after the restart as the visitors threatened a shock result.
However, with 18 minutes remaining, Laurent Koscielny netted a header to extend his side's lead over Leicester in the standings.
Read below to see how the action unfolded in North London.
Hello, and welcome to Sports Mole's live commentary of the Premier League fixture between Arsenal and Newcastle United.
With second-place Leicester City hosting Bournemouth this afternoon, Arsenal will be aware that they may require three points to stay at the top of the Premier League standings come 5pm, and they are clear favourites to do so with Newcastle languishing in 18th place. However, the Magpies have already showed this season that they are capable of winning in North London, and Arsene Wenger's men cannot afford to take them lightly this afternoon.
With just 10 minutes to go until kickoff, let's take a look at both sides.
ARSENAL XI: Cech, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal; Flamini, Ramsey; Chamberlain, Ozil, Walcott; Giroud
Subs: Ospina, Gibbs, Gabriel, Chambers, Campbell, Iwobi, Reine-Adelaide
Subs: Ospina, Gibbs, Gabriel, Chambers, Campbell, Iwobi, Reine-Adelaide
NEWCASTLE UNITED XI: Elliot, Coloccini, Janmaat, Dummett, Mbemba, Tiote, Wijnaldum, Sissoko, Colback, Mitrovic, Perez
Subs: Darlow, Lascelles, Mbabu, Toney, Thauvin, Gouffran, De Jong
Subs: Darlow, Lascelles, Mbabu, Toney, Thauvin, Gouffran, De Jong
Arsenal have made a total of three alterations to the side that comfortably beat Bournemouth in their last outing, with the notable inclusion the return of Laurent Koscielny in defence. As for Newcastle, Steve McClaren is able to call upon the services of goalkeeper Rob Elliot, who had been struggling with illness over the Christmas period.
The two teams have made their way out onto the pitch at the Emirates Stadium. We will be underway very shortly.
Minute of applause for Pav #nufc The Emirates stands in unison as they pay their respect to former Newcastle United goalkeeper Pavel Srnicek, who passed away earlier this week.
href="https://t.co/zLCretwx9b">pic.twitter.com/zLCretwx9b
— Lee Ryder (@lee_ryder) January 2, 2016
We are underway. Let's see if Newcastle can make any impression in the opening stages.
They nearly made an impression, but not a good one. A ball into the box from Bellerin caused a bit of confusion in the Magpies area, but Elliott was alert enough to prevent any attempt on goal.
Bellerin has started this game very well indeed, and a cross into the box found Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. However, the England winger was unable to make clear contact with the ball and his effort went harmlessly wide.
Newcastle have barely had a look in during the opening six minutes. Arsenal won a free kick on the flank but in the end, it came to nothing. The North-East giants need to try to get their foot on the ball or else they could find themselves in for a long afternoon.
Once again, Bellerin looks lively down the right-hand side and wins a corner after his attempted cross is deflected behind. The resulting set piece causes some confusion but Dummett is on hand to fire the ball clear.
Better from Newcastle, who finally create something at the other end. Janmaat was presented with an opportunity to deliver the ball in towards Mitrovic, but Cech did well to claim his delivery. Still, it is a little bit of encouragement from McClaren's side.
Newcastle were probably more fearful of the threat offered by Walcott on the right flank, but all of the danger is coming from Bellerin, who sees his cross turned behind for a corner by Janmaat. Ozil's set piece is easily cleared, however. Not many chances to speak about during the opening quarter of an hour.
CHANCE! Rather surprisingly, Newcastle register the first shot on target of the game. Mbemba's cross finds Wijnaldum, who forces a low save out of Cech, who reacts quickly to prevent Colback from netting the rebound. McClaren will be encouraged after witnessing his team spend most of the game in their own half.
Tiote is currently down getting treatment for Newcastle, but it may be a good opportunity for McClaren to make any necessary adjustments to his tactics. His team have created the best chance so far, but Arsenal look a threat every time they press forward.
Soon after the game restarted, with Tiote fine to continue, Ramsey made his first real impact on the game by trying to play in Giroud, who was lurking in and around the penalty area, but Elliot came out well to claim the ball.
CHANCE! Ten minutes ago, you may have expected the chances to be arriving for Arsenal, but they are all occurring at the other end of the pitch. Tiote did superbly to tee up Perez, who tried to curl the ball into the far corner. However, Arsenal survive after his effort drifting just wide. A let off for the Gunners.
You can almost sense that some of Arsenal's players expected this game to be a comfortable afternoon's work, but it isn't proving that way so far. They need to step it up a gear. The frustration is also intensifying somewhat, with Oxlade-Chamberlain lucky to avoid punishment for a bad foul on Perez.
Slightly better from Arsenal, who put together some of their trademark short-passing football on the edge of the area, but nothing comes from it. Ozil is coming more into the match now after a relatively quiet opening half hour.
There are a few boos ringing out around the Emirates for Newcastle's apparent time-wasting. I'm not so sure about that. I'd say they are growing frustrated with their team's efforts so far. Elliot is yet to make a save.
BOOKING! The first yellow card of the game is handed out to Colback, who cynically pulled the shirt of Giroud as he looked to make a burst forward.
That was Giroud's first real involvement in the game and it appears to have spurred him into life. The Frenchman goes on another run towards goal but his shot is deflected wide for a corner.
Back come Newcastle through their own centre-forward Mitrovic, but he was indecisive on the ball and ended up seeing a weak shot blocked.
Five minutes to go until half time and Newcastle will be delighted with this at the moment. They need to ensure that they make it to the break unscathed, however, or else they will find themselves chasing the game in the second half, and that's not what you want at the Emirates.
CHANCE! Well that would have been spectacular. Mitrovic attempts an over-head kick but he fails to connect with it properly and Cech makes a routine intervention.
CHANCE! I say that McClaren will be delighted so far, but perhaps not, because his side continue to create opportunities. Cech came to the rescue, however, to keep out Wijnaldum's strike. Wenger can't be happy with this.
There will be one-minute of added-on time.
HALF TIME: Arsenal 0-0 Newcastle United
The half-time whistle goes at the Emirates and there are murmurings of discontent in the home section. Aside from Oxlade-Chamberlain's early effort, Arsenal have lacked a cutting edge in the final third, and they are lucky to still be on level terms with a Newcastle side who look much better than a team who currently occupy 18th spot. Expect Arsenal to return for the second half a much improved outfit.
The players are back out ahead of the second half. Just one goal has been scored in the 3pm kickoffs. Hopefully that improves!
Newcastle get us back underway.
CHANCE! Deary me, Arsenal just aren't at the races this afternoon! Wijnaldum, who has been involved in much of Newcastle's play this afternoon, is played in on goal but Cech is out to pull off a timely block.
CHANCE! Another chance goes begging for Newcastle! Mitrovic is the culprit this time, kneeing the ball over the crossbar from inside the six-yard box. I don't want to speak too soon, but maybe this isn't going to be Newcastle's afternoon...
Since that double near-miss, Ramsey has seen a poked effort saved by Elliot, but they are still struggling to get any change out of a resolute Newcastle backline.
Wenger doesn't have a whole lot of experience when it comes to attacking options, but he may have to change things up at some stage. Campbell is the obvious introduction, but don't be surprised to see either Iwobi or Reine-Adelaide.
Over at the King Power Stadium, Leicester have just missed a penalty, with Mahrez being denied by Boruc. Remember, if Leicester better Arsenal's result this afternoon, they will return to the top of the table. You can follow that game by clicking here.
CHANCE! A chance for Arsenal this time, after Giroud latched onto a pass from Koscielny. The French forward could only send his lob over the crossbar, however.
More complaints coming from Arsenal, and Wenger, regarding what could be perceived as time-wasting by Newcastle. I'm not too sure why they would be interested in wasting any time - they are the better side here!
CHANCE! An Ozil corner finds the head of Koscielny but it's not threatening Elliot's goal. Still no subs from either side - which manager is going to flinch first?
SUBSTITUTION! That would be Wenger, who replaces Oxlade-Chamberlain with Campbell. It was the obvious change, really. Janmaat has also been booked for time-wasting. Maybe Wenger's outburst has had some influence on the referee?
GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Newcastle United (Koscielny)
It's certainly undeserved, but Arsenal won't care. A corner into the box was headed into the air by Giroud, and Koscielny was quickest - and bravest - to react to the ball to head past Elliot. That could be a big moment at both the top and bottom of the table.
Since the goal, Arsenal have looked far more confident. The change in atmosphere has probably played a part. Monreal found himself in a shooting position but his effort was well blocked.
CHANCE! It was almost two after Walcott was found the back post, but his volley went harmlessly over the crossbar. McClaren has thrown on Thauvin in place of Colback.
CHANCE! Despite falling behind, you can't write Newcastle off just yet. Mitrovic was found inside the penalty area but his header was always clearing Cech's crossbar.
The match has opened up a touch, with Arsenal looking to put the game to bed and Newcastle throwing more caution to the wind, but the score remains 1-0 after Wijnaldum wastes another chance for the visitors. He could have had a hat-trick on another day.
SUBSTITUTION! Siem De Jong has been introduced by McClaren. If anyone needed a goal, it is the Dutchman.
SUBSTITUTION! That's Giroud's afternoon over and done with, as the Frenchman is replaced by Calum Chambers.
CHANCE! Ramsey does excellently to carve out a shooting position for himself, but after all his hard work, he sends the ball into the stand. Disappointing. There will be four minutes of added-on time.
Another opening for Arsenal - this time for Ozil - but the German playmaker drills the ball wide. We haven't seen too much of the assist king this afternoon.
FULL TIME: Arsenal 1-0 Newcastle United
The full-time whistle goes at the Emirates and Arsenal move two points clear at the top of the standings thanks to Koscielny's header in the second half. You have to feel for Newcastle, but they failed to take their chances and were made to pay.
That will be all from Sports Mole for this game, but we hope that you can stick around to catch up with all of the other results from this afternoon's fixtures in the English top flight. Goodbye for now.
Written by
Darren Plant
Darren Plant
