Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang maintained his fine scoring record against Newcastle United as Arsenal continued to climb the table with a 3-0 win at Emirates Stadium.

Gunners captain Aubameyang has endured a testing season along with his team-mates but enjoys facing Newcastle, scoring in each of the sides' previous three meetings heading into this game - including vital openers in both Premier League encounters last season.

That trend continued on Monday with the breakthrough goal five minutes after half-time and a clinching third 13 minutes from the end as Arsenal picked off a Newcastle team showing eight changes but little improvement from their defeat at Sheffield United.

Bukayo Saka doubled the home side's advantage between Aubameyang's strikes as Mikel Arteta's men breached the top half, albeit having played four games more than 11th-placed Aston Villa.

Arsenal should have led after 15 minutes when Karl Darlow blocked Saka's low shot with his right boot but directed the ball only as far as Aubameyang, who hit the crossbar rather than the back of an empty net from a tight angle.

Aubameyang missed the target again under pressure from a retreating Andy Carroll and soon tallied his 10th consecutive attempt without scoring in the league, also seeing a deflected cross clip the post before the break.

Darlow got down to make a strong one-handed save from Alexandre Lacazette at the start of the second half but was soon beaten as Aubameyang finally got his goal, driving beyond the goalkeeper at his near post as Arsenal countered following a Newcastle corner.

Another break from another aimless visiting attack set the stage for the second on the hour mark, with Emile Smith Rowe able to run at Jamaal Lascelles and cut a low cross back for Saka to sweep in.

Newcastle, facing a ninth game without victory, were grateful to Darlow for a brave block as Lacazette headed goalwards, yet it was merely another temporary reprieve as Aubameyang completed the scoring, benefiting from a favourable VAR check as Cedric Soares kept the ball in play.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang believes he has paid the price for last season's exertions, but the Arsenal skipper is confident he can turn his campaign around. 

Aubameyang inspired the Gunners to FA Cup glory in 2020, scoring twice in each of the semi-final and final wins over Manchester City and Chelsea. 

The Gabon international's decision to sign a new three-year contract at Emirates Stadium last September was a cause for celebration, yet he has struggled since. 

An extra-time strike to clinch a 2-0 win over Newcastle United at the start of Arsenal's FA Cup defence last weekend was Aubameyang's sixth of the season in all competitions. 

Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of Thursday's Premier League match against Crystal Palace, the 31-year-old stated he is confident his toils are now behind him. 

"From the beginning of this season I was struggling a lot but I think this is part of football," he said. 

"We gave a lot at the end of the season to win the FA Cup and to qualify for the Europa League because it was really important for the club. 

"Sometimes you have ups and downs and you have to manage as best you can. I tried my best and until now it was not the best performance from me. 

"I'm still positive. I think I can turn this around."

In the Premier League this season, Aubameyang has scored three times – goals in an opening weekend victory at Fulham and last month's 1-1 draw with Southampton coming either side of a match-winning penalty at Manchester United in November. 

From 30 shots over the course of the campaign to date, he is under performing his expected goals (xG) figure of 3.4. 

The contrast to last season's heroics, when the former Borussia Dortmund star scored 22 times, is stark. 

Only two of those came from the penalty spot and his 20 goals from open play were the fruits of 91 shots with an xG of 13.2. 

It demonstrates how Aubamenyang has the capacity to be one of the most lethal strikers in the game, although he suggested the burden of captaincy at Arsenal has been a tough one to bear during his fallow period.

"It's really hard to manage both but you have to be as positive as you can because the team needs you," he added.

"I always try to give my best, not only on the pitch but also in the dressing room for the guys.

"Sometimes it's hard and maybe you are not in the right mood but you have to find a way to change it and give positive vibes for the guys."

Page 12 of 12
© 2023 SportsMaxTV All Rights Reserved.