Arsenal 3-0 Newcastle: Player ratings as Aubameyang masterclass dismisses dreary Magpies

Arsenal put Newcastle to the sword on Monday evening, as a brace from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang sandwiched a Bukayo Saka strike to secure a sixth win from seven games for Mikel Arteta's side.

Arsenal looked sharp from the off but were held until half-time, after which they turned the screw.

A scintillating counter saw Thomas Partey turn and pick out Aubameyang with a spectacular Holllywood ball, before the forward advanced past Emil Krafth and crashed a left-footed effort into the roof of the net.

Emile Smith Rowe then found Saka after a brilliant driving run, before a Cedric cut-back found Aubameyang who rubbed salt into Steve Bruce's wounds from close range.

Here are your player ratings.

1. Goalkeeper & Defenders

Bernd Leno (GK) - 6/10 - Took a few goal kicks, which was nice for him.

Cedric Soares (RB) - 8/10 - Really steady performance from the right-back. Set up the third goal through sheer determination to keep the ball in play. Also managed a backheel nutmeg at one point to release Saka, which was just delightful.

Rob Holding (CB) - 6/10 - Barely noticeable which isn't always a bad thing from a centre-back.

David Luiz (CB) - 6/10 - Looked solid and assured - albeit under no pressure whatsoever from Newcastle.

Kieran Tierney (LB) - 7/10 - Looked alive down the left flank and was involved in an intriguing battle with Almiron, who kept him on his toes.

2. Midfielders

Thomas Partey (CM) - 8/10 - Made his first start since December's north London derby and made it count one of the assists of the season for the opening goal. His return to the side took Arsenal's midfield to another level.

Granit Xhaka (CM) - 6/10 - Attempted to get himself forward and linked up well with Tierney on a couple of occasions. Sloppy passing cost his side a couple of promising attacks.

Emile Smith Rowe (CAM) - 8/10 - Intelligent with his use of space and inventive with the ball at his feet. Created two good chances for Arsenal in the first half and made the second goal with a terrific driving run.

3. Forwards

Bukayo Saka (RW) - 8/10 - Enjoyed something of a free role coming in off the right. He was involved in most of the Gunners' promising attacks as he marauded inside onto his left foot, and got the reward for his efforts when he doubled Arsenal's lead.

Alexandre Lacazette (CF) - 6/10 - Muted display but one or two moments of magic. Selfless in his movement that allowed the three behind him to wreak havoc.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (LW) - 8/10 - Should have scored early doors but somehow struck the far post from point blank range. Made up for that with a vintage Aubameyang goal to open the scoring, and doubled his money with a tap-in. He's back.

4. Substitutes

Mohamed Elneny - 6/10 - On to give Partey a rest and kept things simple.

Willian - 5/10 - Replaced Aubameyang. Involved in a couple of nice moves after his introduction but didn't get much of a chance to shine.

Gabriel Martinelli - 5/10 - Thrown on late on to get a few minutes into his legs.

Newcastle

5. Goalkeeper & Defenders

Karl Darlow (GK) - 6/10 - Confident performance from a keeper who has earned his status as first-choice. Brilliant stop low to his right to deny Lacazette early in the second half.

Emil Krafth (RB) - 4/10 - Made to look like a schoolboy by Aubameyang for the opener. He was also exposed on the counter a couple of times.

Jamaal Lascelles (CB) - 6/10 - Attacked everything that came his way and held things together in a difficult evening for his team.

Ciaran Clark (CB) - 5/10 - Lack of pace was exposed a few times. Didn't do much wrong but understandably struggled.

Jamaal Lewis (LB) - 6/10 - Forced Saka inside and held his own fairly well. Can provide much more on the counter but his team's... tactics... don't allow it.

6. Midfielders

Miguel Almiron (RW) - 6/10 - Newcastle's most potent threat on the counter but looked strangled by his defensive responsibilities.

Matty Longstaff (CM) - 3/10 - Really struggled to hold his own against an Arsenal engine room that completely controlled the game. Sacrificed for Hendrick.

Jonjo Shelvey (CM) - 5/10 - Had the most touches of any Newcastle player (apparently) but did absolutely nothing with any of them.

Joelinton (LW) - 4/10 - Why Bruce persists with him on the left flank is beyond any of us. Looks completely stranded. Just there to fill a jersey.

7. Forwards

Callum Wilson (CF) - 5/10 - Barely got a touch of the ball as Newcastle were penned in for long spells but seemed tidy in possession on the rare occasion it reached him.

Andy Carroll (CF) - 6/10 - Won a few headers and flick ons but it all seemed a bit pointless considering the rest of the team were camped out 50 yards away from him.

8. Substitutes

Jeff Hendrick - 5/10 - Same issues as his midfield contemporaries as he struggled to impact the game.

Jacob Murphy - 5/10 - Introduced to give his side a lifeline but struggled.

Elliot Anderson - N/A - on for a Premier League debut with seconds to go.