Arsenal hammer Newcastle to keep title pressure on Liverpool, Man City

Newcastle United’s German goalkeeper #18 Loris Karius (C) is unable to prevent a header from Arsenal’s Polish defender #15 Jakub Kiwior (not pictured) making it 4-0 during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium in London on February 24, 2024. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP)

Arsenal’s free-scoring Premier League form continued as Newcastle were blown away 4-1 at the Emirates on Saturday to move back within two points of leaders Liverpool.

Mikel Arteta’s men stumbled to a 1-0 Champions League defeat at Porto in midweek, but were quickly back on the horse domestically to take their tally to 25 goals in six consecutive Premier League wins.

Arsenal’s prowess from set-pieces forced an own goal from Sven Botman before Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Jakub Kiwior from another corner killed off Newcastle.

The Gunners are aiming to win a first league title in 20 years and keen to make amends for faltering down the final straight last season as Manchester City stormed clear on their way to win the treble.

Arsenal are the side in red hot form but remain in third, one point behind second-placed City, with the title race fascinatingly poised 12 games from the end of the season.

Defeat is another blow to Newcastle’s aspiration of European football next season.

Eddie Howe’s men were outclassed to remain down in eighth, 15 points adrift of the top four, and have now conceded 23 goals in their last eight league games.

Howe was forced into handing goalkeeper Loris Karius just his second appearance since joining Newcastle in 2022.

Karius was unfortunate for the opening goal as he parried Gabriel Magalhaes’ powerful header, but the ball ricocheted back off Botman and crept over the line.

Arse