Arsenal kept the pace in the Premier League title race with a stunning victory over Newcastle at the Emirates to stay within two points of leaders Liverpool.

Despite starting the calendar year in astonishing Premier League form, beating Crystal Palace, Nottingham Forest, Liverpool, West Ham and Burnley by an aggregate score of 21-2, the Gunners entered this grudge match in disappointing fashion after their late midweek defeat to Porto in the Champions League

But they put that behind them with an irresistible performance which highlighted the gulf between them and a poor Newcastle side.

Arsenal started brilliantly and soon found the breakthrough from a familiar place, Gabriel’s header from a corner eventually crossing the line with Sven Botman getting the final touch.  Continue reading

Kai Havertz made it 2-0 six minutes later with a finish from close range after brilliant work from Jorginho and Gabriel Martinelli, before Bukayo Saka and Jakub Kiwior added further goals shortly after the hour mark.

Newcastle were laughably off the pace all game and simply could not weather the Arsenal storm, but former Gunner Joe Willock netted a fine consolation six minutes from the end.

The win moves them to within two points of leaders Liverpool and just a point shy of Manchester City in second place, with the best goal difference in the division.

Related video: Arsenal 4-1 Newcastle United: Dominic Scurr reaction (Dailymotion)

After a light show and pre-match tifo, Arsenal set the pace from the off with Declan Rice, playing in a higher role in midfield with Jorginho restored to the side, stinging the palms of Loris Karius.

They would hit the front through another set-piece, but this time in fortuitous circumstances as Karius made a great save from Gabriel’s powerful header, only for Tino Livramento to turn the ball home off the prone Botman in his attempts to clear off the line.

The lead was doubled soon afterwards, this time from a free-flowing move as Jorginho – in a man-of-the-match display – picked out an inch-perfect pass to Gabriel Martinelli, who crossed for Havertz to turn home unmarked from six yards out.

Arsenal should have struck again moments later as Martin Odegaard pressed and won the ball off Fabian Schar inside the Newcastle box, only for his pass into Havertz to be cleared behind for a corner.

Still Arsenal pressed and Newcastle strained, Saka coming close only for Karius to make another smart stop as the hosts went in comfortably ahead at the break.

Havertz should have grabbed his second of the night having been slipped in by Martinelli early in the second half, but he rolled his finish wide of the post.

Newcastle had failed to have a shot on target in the first half of a Premier League game for the first time in nearly a decade.

Anthony Gordon finally tested David Raya in the 49th minute before Alekander Isak fired just over the bar on another rare foray forward for the visitors.

Any hopes of a rousing comeback were soon shattered, however, as Arsenal’s third goal duly came just after the hour.

Saka was played in on the right and hit a curling shot that somehow evaded two attempts at clearances from the Newcastle defence to nestle into the corner of the net.

Things got even better for Arsenal as Kiwior’s header from a Rice corner deflected in off the unfortunate Lewis Miley.

Both sides made a host of changes but it was Newcastle who got on the scoresheet with five minutes remaining, former Arsenal youngster Willock brilliantly heading home a Dan Burn cross.

Emile Smith Rowe almost added a fifth for Arsenal late on, but Burn was in the right place to clear off the line with Karius beaten.

It was of little consequence, however, as the home side eased through the remainder of stoppage time to seal an impressive victory