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Player ratings vs Newcastle
Martin Odegaard (for Nwaneri 46): 7
Tested Nick Pope almost immediately after his introduction as he darted into the box and lashed a low effort goalwards.
Played a gorgeous through ball to Havertz but his touch let him down before the offside flag was raised.
He dispatched his 84th minute penalty calmly to hand his team the victory.
Jakub Kiwior (for Calafiori 48): 6
Allowed Saliba to do the bulk of the physical defending on Osula while he covered wider areas.
Could not do much to stop Newcastle’s second goal, and was otherwise solid when defending Newcastle’s late crosses.
Max Dowman (for Saka) 60: 9
Full of energy and confidence as he tracked back to help win the ball outside Arsenal’s box, before attempting an audacious roulette on Murphy and winning another foul.
He forced a save from Pope after a brilliant run through the heart of Newcastle’s midfield, weaving between three markers before drilling a shot towards the bottom left. He also tested Ruddy with a powerful shot to the far corner.
His pace and trickery down the right side won his side a game-winning penalty. This 15-year-old stole the show, and might prove to be something special.
Kepa Arrizabalaga (for Raya 60): 6
It was not a particularly hard act to follow for Kepa, as he replaced an uncharacteristically shaky Raya in net.
He added an air of composure to Arsenal’s build-up that helped settle them after a spell on the back foot in the second half.
But even he let himself get closed down under the press, and very nearly handed Lewis Miley an open goal.
Gabriel Martinelli (for Havertz 60): 5
Largely anonymous, but that was in part due to the timing of his introduction coinciding with Newcastle’s increase in possession.
Tried to do too much when he did get on the ball and squandered a couple of chances.
A disappointing display off the bench.
Declan Rice (for Merino 69): 7
His urgency in midfield helped relieve the pressure that was building on his defence in the late stages of the game.
Launched an attack with a quick throw that probably should have resulted in a goal, but Martinelli’s cross could not find an Arsenal shirt.
Christian Norgaard (for Zubimendi 77): 6
Did not have too much time to make an impact but was more porous in the midfield than Arteta would have hoped from his ball-winning midfielder.
His box defending in the scrappy dying moments of the game was solid.
Question marks remain over his pace in Arsenal’s expansive style of play.
Marli Salmon (for Saliba 77): 6
Looked relaxed on the ball when knocking it around at the back.
Held his own under an onslaught of late crosses into the area.
Positioning was questionable at times when running towards his own goal.
Josh Nichols (for White 77): 5
Looked a bit frantic – as he did in his appearance against Milan a few days ago.
Was not suited to the physical battle he faced on the right side of defence, but his recovery pace meant that he could make up for any positional errors.
Andre Harriman-Annous (for Trossard): 6
Showed off his speed and tenacity when he pressed John Ruddy in the Newcastle goal and blocked his clearance.
Was eager to get play started again where possible and was hungry to get into the box as well, good early signs.
Oleksandr Zinchenko (for Lewis-Skelly 77): 6
Became a leader towards the end of the game as the defence was replaced with younger players.
Was not afraid to get forward while defending a lead and was not caught out, but failed to produce anything dangerous either.