'Wonderful' Arsenal goals down Howe's Newcastle after 'miss of the season contender'

Second-half goals from Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli ensured Mikel Arteta's men brushed off last week's hammering at Liverpool, despite a horrendous miss from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Howe oversaw Newcastle's 3-3 draw with Brentford from a hotel room after testing positive for COVID-19, but his presence today was not enough to inspire another result.

The Toon remain without a win and five points from safety, having played a game more than their rivals, and their rich new owners still face the very real prospect of Championship football next season.

Howe's men were in the game until the 56th minute and Jonjo Shelvey had forced a stunning save from Aaron Ramsdale, who tipped the midfielder's effort onto the crossbar.

But the Gunners should've been in front at the break when Aubameyang was presented with an open goal from four-yards out.

The Arsenal captain somehow hit the post - leaving Dean Ashton stunned on talkSPORT.

He said: "Four yards out, Aubamayeng, no excuse! He just has to side-foot it in.

"It's one of the misses of the season.

"He's too casual. If you asked him to do that in training, he would do it so easily."

Luckily for the striker, his teammates were on hand to spare his blushes, and Arsenal got over the line with two beautifully-crafted goals.

Saka netted the first after some fine build-up play from Emile Smith Rowe and Nuno Tavares on the left.

Ashton said: "Bamboozling the Newcastle defence - and he's not tracked by Emile Krafth.

"Once he gets in, there was no intricacy, he just lashed it across the goalkeeper and gave him no chance.

"A lovely move from the young Arsenal attackers. It was a wonderful finish from Saka."

Saka was forced off through injury and his replacement - Martinelli - would double the lead with a stunning first-time volley. although questions will be asked of Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dubravka.

Ashton added: "Dubravka, you're just in the wrong position! You've anticipated way too late!

"How does Martinelli get in to volley this? Tomiyasu has clipped this in over the top, and the goalkeeper has got to come out, but he just hesitates.

"Martinelli from six yards out - yes six - is allowed to take a free volley and it's a wonderful finish, I've got to say."

The win moves Arsenal up to fifth place, level on points with fourth-place West Ham, who travel to champions Manchester City tomorrow.