LONDON/BOURNEMOUTH (AFP/Reuters) – 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.
"We continued in the same way, we maintained our rhythm and it was a joy to watch the team play," said Arteta. "The boys were really good, really aggressive and we deserved to win the game."
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. "We were off in most aspects of our game. We didn't do the basics right," said Howe.
"Sometimes away from home you have those spells in the game and you have to weather the storm. Unfortunately, we didn't do that and we conceded some bad goals."
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.
Arsenal have now scored 19 times from set-pieces in the Premier League this season.
If there was a hint of fortune about the opener, the hosts' second was a thing of beauty.
Jorginho's ball over the top picked out the run of Gabriel Martinelli, who turned the ball perfectly into the path of Havertz for his eighth goal of the season.
Saka has now scored seven times in the last five Premier League games and only a fine save from Karius at his near post delayed the England international continuing his scoring streak before half-time.
Havertz should have sealed the three points within two minutes of the second half when he dragged a shot wide after Martinelli's pass played him clean through on goal.
But the German international was involved for the third goal as from his pass, Saka jinked inside and fired into the far corner for his 16th goal of the season.
Set-piece coach Nicolas Jover has been credited with Arsenal's lethal threat from dead balls.
The Frenchman had more cause to celebrate 21 minutes from time when Kiwior's header from Declan Rice's corner deflected in off Lewis Miley.
Newcastle did at least muster a consolation five minutes from time when former Arsenal midfielder Joe Willock looped in a header off the post.
But that did little to spoil Arsenal's Saturday night party as they made another statement to Liverpool and City that they will not crumble under the pressure of a title race like they did 12 months ago.
FODEN STRIKE KEEPS MAN CITY ON LIVERPOOL'S HEELS
Manchester City secured a hard-earned 1-0 victory at Bournemouth on Saturday as Phil Foden's first-half goal moved them one point behind Premier League leaders Liverpool.
Foden converted from close range in the 24th minute and it proved enough for Pep Guardiola's side who were well below their best against a feisty Bournemouth.
The hosts looked capable of an equaliser after the break when Marcus Tavernier had two decent opportunities in quick succession and Enes Unal headed just wide at the death.
City have 59 points from 26 games with Liverpool, who play Chelsea in the League Cup final on Sunday, on 60.
The mark of champions is to accumulate victories even with sub-standard performances and City have proved masters of that in claiming three successive Premier League titles.
Despite dominating possession, they were severely tested at the Vitality Stadium and their relief at the final whistle was palpable as they held on to turn up the heat on Liverpool.
Guardiola's side lacked their usual fluency but still stretched their unbeaten league run to 11 games with a second successive 1-0 victory, after a midweek win over Brentford.
"The players surprise me every time, the character, always competitive when they are tired," Guardiola said. "Winning 0-5 is not a reality. Hopefully we can have a week off soon to rest the legs."
Erling Haaland still looked short of his best form after returning from injury and missed an early opportunity when he fired wide with the sort opportunity he usually converts.
But City have plenty of other match-winners, not least Foden who once again displayed his increasingly influential role in the team as he poached his ninth league goal of the season.
Haaland showed great strength to roll his marker and get a shot off that home keeper Neto did well to keep out but the ball fell to Foden who coolly turned in the rebound.
Shortly before that, City keeper Ederson was forced into a save from Milos Kerkez's dipping effort.
City could not build on their lead after the break, however, and Bournemouth, roared on by a vociferous home crowd, pinned them back as Tavernier twice went close and leading scorer Dominic Solanke also had a good opportunity.
Bournemouth's best chance fell to substitute Unal as his header skidding off the turf and inches wide of the post.
Bournemouth are without a win in their last seven league matches and are eight points above the relegation zone in 14th place in the table.