Aubameyang ends drought in Arsenal’s 3-0 win
Aubameyang, who hadn't scored in the league since December 16, broke the deadlock in the 50th minute before Bukaya Saka added a second with style in the 61st
London: Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang finally ended his scoring drought in the Premier League with two second-half goals in 3-0 win against Newcastle as the Gunners try to claw their way out of midtable.
Aubameyang, who hadn’t scored in the league since December 16, broke the deadlock in the 50th minute before Bukaya Saka added a second with style in the 61st. An unmarked Aubameyang got his second goal in the 77th. It was a fifth consecutive clean sheet in all competitions for Arsenal and a fourth win in five league matches. Newcastle remained in 15th place, only seven points from the relegation zone.
Aubameyang, who had just three league goals this season coming into the game, seemed like he would continue his poor run of form after missing a string of chances in the first half. But a perfectly weighted long ball from midfielder Thomas Partey found the struggling forward on the left, leaving him one-on-one with defender Emil Krafth. The Arsenal captain cut inside and struck the ball past goalkeeper Karl Darlow, beating him at the near post. Aubameyang did his trademark front flip in celebration.
Then, it was the time for Arsenal’s youngsters to shine. The 20-year-old Smith Rowe took the ball down the left before cutting in and setting up an unmarked Saka, 19, who drifted in to near the penalty spot before finishing with a simple tap-in.
Partey back for his first start since Dec. 6 against Tottenham after recovering from a thigh injury, saying he hopes the player can help Arsenal with the transition more from defense to attack.
Aubameyang’s second came when Cedric Soares took the ball to the byline before looking up and finding his unmarked captain, who sidefooted home. A video review confirmed the ball was kept in play by Soares. Aubameyang didn’t have a chance to score a hat trick, as he was substituted two minutes later with a stomach issue.
One of the few Newcastle counterattacks came in the 24th, when winger Miguel Almiron beat Partey’s sliding tackle to intercept the ball and break unmarked down the right. The Paraguayan cut in and exchanged passes with Andy Carroll before firing the ball over the bar.
