Arsenal, Saka create history in win over Newcastle United

Arsenal and Bukayo Saka achieved two impressive feats in Saturday's 4-1 win over Newcastle United.

After being narrowly beaten by Porto in midweek, Arsenal issued an emphatic response in their return to Premier League action on Saturday.

The Gunners took a two-goal lead into the half-time interval thanks to a Sven Botman own goal and a Kai Havertz effort

Saka and Jakub Kiwior found the net in the second period to put the game beyond doubt, before former Arsenal midfielder Joe Willock netted a late consolation for the Magpies.

Arsenal's win ensured that the third-placed side will finish the weekend one point behind Manchester City in second position and two points adrift of leaders Liverpool.

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The victory also helped Mikel Arteta's side create a piece of history by becoming the first team to score two or more goals in seven consecutive halves of Premier League football.

Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard kickstarted that run of goals when they found the net in the second period of Arsenal's 3-1 win against Liverpool earlier this month.

They then went on to score in both halves of 6-0 and 5-0 wins over West Ham United and Burnley respectively, before they repeated the feat in Saturday's home meeting with Newcastle.

Meanwhile, Saka also achieved a notable feat in the 4-1 win as he became the first English player to score in five consecutive Premier League matches for Arsenal since Ian Wright found the net in seven straight top-flight games between September and November.

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The England international registered seven goals across those five matches, including braces in away meetings with West Ham United and Burnley.

In total, Saka has scored 13 goals in 25 Premier League appearances this season – six more than Arsenal's second-highest scorer Leandro Trossard.

Arsenal's recent form in the final third has taken them to 62 league goals for the 2023-24 campaign, which is just one shy of the top-flight's highest scorers Liverpool.

They will have the chance to rack up more goals when they face the team with the worst defensive record in next Monday's meeting with Sheffield United.