Arsenal 4-1 Newcastle - Premier League RECAP: Score, team news and updates as rampant Gunners blow away the Magpies

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Mikel Arteta, speaking to the BBC...

'I'm really happy with the performance. The boys were really good and we deserved to win the game.

'They [Newcastle] have a lot of resources to create issues but we continued in the same way, we maintained our rhythm.

'It was a joy to watch the team play.

'We have to continue to do the things that we are doing well.

'There are still things that we can do better and we are bringing big players back from injury so that is a big boost.'

Eddie Howe delivered a gloomy assessment of his side's defeat.

'In the first half we weren't ourselves,' he told TNT Sports. 'The second half was much better until the third goal which knocked us.

'Arsenal were very good, we weren't and we got punished. We were off in most aspects of our games, we didn't do the basics right.

'Arsenal put us under pressure and we made technical mistakes. Sometimes you have those spells, you have to weather them.

'We started the second half really well and chances to get a goal which would have been crucial.

'I need to see it again before I make rash statements - but we were not where we needed to be, whether that was psychological or technical.'

Martin Keown, speaking on TNT Sports...

A lot less controversy this time around, but significantly more goals.

Most importantly, there was no need for Mikel Arteta to storm over decisions or any FA probes delving into his choice of language.

This was an impressive, scintillating display from Arsenal.

You can read ISAAN KHAN's match report below.

Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka, speaking to TNT Sports...

It's ridiculously tight at the Premier League summit.

Liverpool are top on 60 points, with Manchester City behind on 59.

Arsenal stay in third with 58 but have the best goal difference.

This is going right down the wire, surely? I cannot wait.

The DJ cued up some big dancefloor hits as both sets of supporters stayed beyond the final whistle to applaud their teams off.

ABBA's Voulez-Vous blared out over the speakers and I've always got plenty of time for that. A party atmosphere even after the game.

An evening to remember for Arsenal!

But for Newcastle, not so much. They were swept away.

Job done for Arsenal, and in quite some style!

That's now six wins in a row for Mikel Arteta's title chasers. Made no mistake, they're in this race and they're here to stay.

An unfortunate own goal from Sven Botman kickstarted the rout, with Kai Havertz also on target before the half-time break.

After the restart, Bukayo Saka scored a stunning solo effort and Jakub Kiwior nodded in from a corner to add gloss to the scoreline.

Joe Willock netted against his former club but by then, it was too little, too late for the visitors. That's an 11th defeat of the season for them.

Reiss Nelson was the next to chance his arm but Loris Karius held on.

OFF THE LINE! Inches away from a fifth for Arsenal.

Emile Smith Rowe's low effort looked set to ripple the net after Reiss Nelson's attempted cut back, but Dan Burn hacked away.

Heroic from the substitute.

We'll have five additional minutes to round this one off.

Another change for Arsenal.

Jorginho, who has been magnificent, has made way.

Mohamed Elneny is the man who has replaced him.

One back for Newcastle!

That's a moment to remember for Joe Willock, the former Arsenal man, who stooped to guide a brilliant header over David Raya.

Dan Burn's cross was good, but Willock's effort was even better.

A smattering of Newcastle supporters have their tops off.

This is just a case of counting down the minutes for Newcastle.

They've been soundly second best here and need to lick their wounds.

As for Arsenal... well, I've run out of superlatives.

They're the real deal and firmly in this title race.

This has become a procession now. Job done for Arsenal.

They're just two points off Liverpool as it stands.

Crucially, though, they have the best goal difference in the top three.

Arsenal have made changes, too.

Emile Smith Rowe, Reiss Nelson and Eddie Nketiah have been introduced with Mikel Arteta blooding his squad players.

Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz were taken off and given a well-earned rest. What a performance from the trio.

Eddie Howe has shuffled his pack.

Jamaal Lascelles, Joe Willock and Dan Burn are all on.

Bruno Guimaraes, Tino Livramento and Sven Botman made way.

It's four! This has got very nasty for Newcastle.

This one came from another set piece, with Declan Rice's pinpoint corner flicked on by Jakub Kiwior at the near post.

The ball then beat Loris Karius after a slight deflection off Lewis Miley, who just couldn't adjust his body in time in front of the line.

That may even go down as an own goal.

That's magnificent - and also game, set and match.

Bukayo Saka picked up the ball on the right-hand side of the box before cutting inside and firing through a crowd of bodies.

The ball may have taken a knick but the goal is certainly his.

Arsenal are out of sight and rampant.

Gabriel Martinelli has made way for Leandro Trossard.

Newcastle have also made a couple of changes.

Jacob Murphy and Harvey Barnes are on, with Miguel Almiron - who was poor this evening - and Alexander Isak off.

Alexander Isak should have scored!

Bruno Guimaraes played a brilliant diagonal pass out to him, but the striker couldn't keep his composure as he got his shot off.

In the end, his ball fizzed a couple of yards over the top.

Harvey Barnes and Jacob Murphy are set to come on.

Arsenal are keeping control of the ball. Their pace and aggression have dropped this half but they remain firmly in the driving seat.

Newcastle have had more of the ball since the restart.

Here's a crazy stat. Newcastle haven't scored at the Emirates for over 3,000 days - a streak that stretches all the way back to 2014.

They certainly need one today to set up an interesting finish.

Eddie Howe will be satisfied with the improvements from the visitors. They're keeping the ball better and showing more fight.

The home crowd are in full voice as their side keep the ball moving.

That title dream is still very much alive.

However, it's not quite job done yet. There's still time in this one.

That was much better from Newcastle.

Anthony Gordon cut inside from the left after finding himself in space, but his low effort was held onto by David Raya.

There are certainly areas Arsenal will leave empty when they push on.

HUGE CHANCE! Arsenal really should have been three to the good.

Bukayo Saka charged through the middle and fed in Gabriel Martinelli, who in turn played Kai Havertz on goal with a sumptuous ball.

Havertz, one-on-one with Loris Karius could only clip wide of the post.

Mikel Arteta wheeled away with his head in his hands.

We're off again! Will we have more of the same?

I wouldn't be surprised if Eddie Howe whipped out the hairdryer during the half-time break. He'll be so, so disappointed with his side.

What could he change to salvage something from this game?

People who earn much more than me may be able to answer that.

Arsenal have earned a well-deserved breather at the break.

They've been absolutely dominant and taken their chances superbly, with Newcastle battered, bruised and on the ropes across the 45.

Sven Botman's own goal handed the hosts a strong start and Kai Havertz swept home the second to punish Eddie Howe's side.

They've had 11 shots and 64 per cent of the ball. Phew.

We'll have three added minutes to round off this one-sided half.

Miguel Almiron was slotted through on goal in Newcastle's first chance.

He was one on one with David Raya but the keeper did well to stand his ground and smother the ball at his feet on the edge of the box.

The linesman's flag was raised regardless, but Raya was switched on.

Five minutes to go until the break.

Eddie Howe and Newcastle will be praying for it.

From the first second to now, Arsenal have been bang at it.

Loris Karius makes a superb save!

Bukayo Saka danced his way through three defenders just inside the box before cracking away a powerful effort toward the near post.

For a split second, it felt like the net would ripple for a third time, but Karius had other ideas as he scrambled across to his left.

I genuinely don't know if Newcastle have had a touch in Arsenal's box.

Look up the definition of domination in the dictionary. You'll find this.

Saying it's one-way traffic is an understatement.

Another massive let-off for Newcastle!

Arsenal worked the ball brilliantly down the right, with Martin Odegaard then releasing Bukayo Saka away and into space.

Saka rifled in an inviting cross and Gabriel Martinelli, who ghosted between two defenders, could only nod over the top.

What a let-off! Newcastle are all over the shop.

Fabian Schar received the ball from Loris Karius but was immediately put under pressure by Martin Odegaard, who stole possession.

Karius raced out to narrow the angle and Odegaard opted for a cut-back, although no-one in red was on hand to stroke home.

That really should have been three-nil and game over.

This is torrid from Newcastle, but you have to give credit to Arsenal. They're giving their opponents absolutely no time to think.

What could Eddie Howe possibly do to save this?

It's a long, long, long way back from this point.

That's superb. Newcastle are trapped in a hurricane here.

Jorginho spotted Gabriel Martinelli's dart from left to right and found him with a beautiful lofted ball over the top of the backline.

The angle was tight for the winger but he kept the danger alive on the byline and cut back, hoping for a run.

Kai Havertz did arrive and slotted home with a poacher's finish.

Arsenal have wasted no time since scoring the opener.

They're already applying pressure across the width of the field and winning the ball back. Newcastle just cannot escape their half.

If they're not careful, this could be a cricket score.

The hosts have been devastatingly ruthless.

There's the deserved breakthrough! I think it's an own goal.

Shambolic at the back from Newcastle but Arsenal won't care one jot. Yet again this season, they've scored from a corner kick.

The delivery found Gabriel at the near post after his dart from left to right and a strong header was palmed out by Loris Karius.

Tino Livramento and Sven Botman were unable to sort their feet out a couple of yards off the line, and the final touch came off the latter.

A real mess from the visitors.

Almost 70 per cent possession for Arsenal so far.

Declan Rice has taken up a more advanced role than he did in midweek, leaving Jorginho to sit and act as the metronome.

The slight change has worked a treat so far. Newcastle have been second-best and unable to lay a glove on their opponents.

Loris Karius has been forced into action again.

This time, Declan Rice cracked a powerful strike at goal at the near post, with the goalkeeper smothering well with his body.

Arsenal are turning the screw here.

There's Loris Karius' first Premier League save in almost six years!

It was comfortable enough for him, too.

Declan Rice snatched the ball back up after a turnover in midfield and played into Bukayo Saka, whose shot was deflected.

The effort dropped to the near post, where Karius kept hold.

BOOKING! Martin Odegaard has been shown the game's first yellow.

He chopped down Miguel Almiron with a late challenge after Newcastle moved the ball down the far side with a clever flick.

No complaints from the playmaker there.

The opening five minutes or so belong to Arsenal.

They've been direct and have looked to stay on the front foot. Newcastle are holding firm so far but they're being tested.

Kai Havertz is the man currently causing trouble down the middle.

Arsenal have absolutely flown out of the blocks.

They won a corner within the first 15 seconds and after the set piece was cleared, they recycled possession out wide.

A second corner in quick succession almost came to William Saliba, before Bukayo Saka bent an effort into the stand.

This is a relentless start from the hosts.

Here we go, then! Arsenal have got us started.

Here come the teams!

This game feels absolutely huge for Arsenal.

It's a must-win, surely.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, speaking to TNT Sports...

It's almost go-time in north London. The atmosphere is building.

Both teams are putting the final touches to their warm-ups.

A special mention to those Arsenal training shirts. They're brilliant.

With just over 15 minutes to go, let's get some score predictions!

Who comes out on top? Leave your guesses in the comments.

He's a bigger man than me!

Bukayo Saka has refused to complain about rough treatment from defenders and even believes hard tackles are a compliment.

The tricky winger, before the start of today's round of matches, was the third-most fouled player in the Premier League (87 fouls).

Arsenal lodged a complaint to the PGMOL but Saka is unfazed.

You can get his full thoughts by clicking the link below.

Bournemouth threw the kitchen sink at Manchester City in the final stages at Vitality Stadium but couldn't find an equaliser.

That means Arsenal are four points behind City heading into this one.

The gap between them and Liverpool is now five points.

Anything less than a win would really dent the hosts' title charge.

If the reverse fixture between these two sides is anything to go by, tonight's showdown could well be explosive.

Back in November, Arsenal lost at St James' Park in deeply controversial circumstances, with the fallout extending for some time.

Kai Havertz clattered into Sean Longstaff, leading to appeals for a red card, and Bruno Guimaraes later left his elbow in on Jorginho's head.

The winner topped the lot, however. Anthony Gordon poked home, sparking wild scenes, despite the ball appearing to go out of play.

The piece below will be perfect for you if you want to relive the drama!

This is actually Loris Karius' first Premier League outing in six years!

The last time he played in the top-flight was for Liverpool back in May 2018, just days before his Champions League final horror show.

Martin Dubravka is ill and Nick Pope is injured.

Incidentally, Karius' last appearance for Newcastle came in the Carabao Cup final, almost a year ago. Good luck, lad.

Newcastle have made three switches from the side that started their 2-2 draw with Bournemouth in the top-flight last weekend.

Martin Dubravka misses out through illness, meaning Loris Karius is in.

Tino Livramento and Alexander Isak have also been recalled, with Dan Burn and Harvey Barnes both dropping to the bench.

Isak's presence will be particularly important tonight.

Mikel Arteta has made one change from Arsenal's midweek defeat.

Jorginho has come in for Leandro Trossard, who's on the bench.

Also among the substitutes is Gabriel Jesus, who has missed the last four matches through injury. That's a welcome return for Arsenal.

Can they bounce back from that setback in Portugal?

Starting XI: Karius, Trippier, Schar, Botman, Livramento, Guimaraes, Longstaff, Miley, Almiron, Gordon, Isak

Substitutes: Gillespie, Lascelles, Ritchie, Barnes, Krafth, Hall, Murphy, Willock, Burn

Starting XI: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior, Rice, Jorginho, Odegaard, Saka, Martinelli, Havertz

Substitutes: Ramsdale, Cedric, Elneny, Vieira, Nelson, Smith Rowe, Trossard, Nketiah, Jesus

Just five minutes to go until both XIs drop. Stay right here!

Eddie Howe, speaking during his pre-match press conference...

Speaking ahead of tonight's game, Mikel Arteta vowed Arsenal will give their all to lift the Premier League trophy at the end of the season.

'I think we are in a really good position,' Arteta told reporters during his pre-match press conference. 'We are where we want to be.

'The most important thing is that we continue to perform at the level we are doing and we have the squad available.

'If we have those two things, we are going to give it a real go.'

Eddie Howe will certainly be a happier man these days.

Newcastle are now unbeaten in five across all competitions and are targeting a strong end to an unpredictable, rollercoaster season.

They suffered a string of crippling injuries to key players and collapsed out of the top four race. However, their FA Cup dream remains intact.

Lifting that and clinching European football again for the next campaign would represent a very decent effort from them.

Let's all just take a moment to breathe.

This is a rare moment of peace before the whistle peeps and both these sides go toe-to-toe, urged on by a crackling atmosphere.

Arsenal will be determined to respond in style to their limp Champions League last-16 defeat at Porto, where they conceded at the death.

As for Newcastle, well, they can move into seventh spot with a victory and keep their dream of securing European football again alive.

The Premier League just keeps on rolling! What a day this has been.

We've had shocks and goals galore - and another Man United defeat.

But don't worry. We're not done yet, with one more game still to come.

And it promises to be a cracker, with title-chasing Arsenal taking on Eddie Howe's up-and-down Newcastle at the Emirates.

Stay tuned right here for the build-up and team news.