Stoppage time is proving nothing more than a formality as both sides have accepted the result and are keen to look forward. Arsenal are knocking the ball about in midfield, with Newcastle offering little in terms of resistance.
90'
There will be a minimum of four minutes added on at the end of this match.
84'
H. Mkhitaryan enters the game and replaces M. Özil.
That goal allows Emery to make Arsenal's third change, as Mkhitaryan replaces Ozil.
83'
A. Lacazette has scored a goal for Arsenal! Assist by P. Aubameyang.
Great reading of the play and execution from Aubameyang, who provides the assist.
THAT SETTLES IT! Arsenal lead 2-0! Lovely combination play between the two strikers as an Aubameyang header plays Lacazette through on goal on the end of a lovely one-two. Dubravka isn't quick enough off his line and Lacazette keeps his cool, dinking a delicious first-time finish over the keeper and in to put the match to bed.
81'
A bit of a warning for Arsenal as the ball sits up nicely for Muto to have a strike from 25 yards on the end of a decent move down the right from the visitors, but the substitute lashes an effort high and wide. Newcastle only need one chance, though.
79'
It's just not coming off for Arsenal in attack in this second half. They're getting into some excellent positions and their build-up play has been consistently sharp, but the decision making at the vital moments and their end product has left plenty to be desired.
77'
Y. Muto enters the game and replaces Ayoze Pérez.
Rounding out the changes in personnel for Newcastle is Muto, who has featured sparsely since returning from Asian Cup duty. He replaces Perez for the final 13 minutes.
75'
Kenedy enters the game and replaces M. Ritchie.
A second Newcastle change sees Kenedy come on in place of Ritchie, which should see the Magpies switch to more of a 4-3-3 from a 5-4-1.
73'
Into the final 20 minutes and it's on a knife-edge, despite the relative ease with which Arsenal have coasted through this match thus far. They've been unable to find a second and it's allowed Newcastle to hang around. Now can the visitors take advantage?
Minute
Description
71'
S. Kolašinac gets yellow.
Ozil is fouled and the referee awards the free-kick, but takes exception to the reaction of Kolasinac who picks up an incredibly needless booking for gesturing to the referee to give a foul despite him already doing so!
69'
Arsenal remain firmly in control as time starts to wind down on Newcastle, who need to start taking a few chances. They've offered nothing going forward but have a few who are more than capable - they just need some more support.
67'
Ki Sung-Yueng enters the game and replaces I. Hayden.
Mohamed Elneny enters the game and replaces A. Ramsey.
Newcastle use the stoppage to make their first change as well, with Ki coming on in place of Hayden.
Ramsey has picked up a slight knock and Emery isn't taking any chances as Elneny is sent on to replace him with Arsenal's second change.
63'
Appeals for a penalty as Lacazette shows remarkable pace to get behind the Newcastle defence and into the area, before Dummett slides in against the touchline and prevents the striker from cutting back inside as the ball strikes his arm. The defender knew little about it, though, and it was far from intentional. The referee isn't interested.
61'
P. Aubameyang enters the game and replaces A. Iwobi.
A first change of the night for either side sees the Gunners bring on Aubameyang at the expense of Iwobi.
59'
Nacho Monreal gets yellow.
Monreal lunges into a challenge and only makes contact with the ball, but the referee didn't like the nature of the slide from the Arsenal defender, who sees yellow. Bit of a harsh one, that.
58'
Arsenal have a change ready, with Aubameyang ready to come on. That suggests Maitland-Niles, who is back on the pitch, is fine to continue. The question now is whether Aubameyang will replace Lacazette or come on to play with the Frenchman and take off Iwobi.
50'
Arsenal respond by quickly nullifying the threat, and then working the ball forward again where they set up camp. They will want to add to their lead in this second half to make things more comfortable, but a clean sheet should be the priority for them.
48'
Finally a bit of endeavour shown by Newcastle as Almiron leads the charge down the left and finds a good bit of space before flashing a low cross into the centre for Rondon, but Mustafi is wise to it. That gets the travelling supporters cheering, though.
46'
Back underway at the Emirates!
45' +1
HALF-TIME: ARSENAL 1-0 NEWCASTLE.
44'
Plenty of options for Kolasinac as Ramsey and Lacazette burst through the middle and are just begging to be played through, but the full-back gets the execution all wrong as he overhits his pass straight into the waiting arms of Dubravka. Newcastle let off the hook once again.
42'
Into the final minutes of the half and Arsenal are in complete control. Emery's half-time team talk will be pretty straightforward, but Benitez certainly has some adjustments he will need to make.
39'
Narrow escape from Newcastle who are finding themselves under a lot of pressure here, as Dubravka just manages to cut out a headed pass from Iwobi on the end of an encouraging passage of play from the Gunners. The visitors then have the chance to counter, but give the ball back far too quickly.
35'
Arsenal are right back in attack again, and they're feeling a lot less pressure with a goal already to their name. That should allow them to be even more patient in their approach, which really works against Newcastle's gameplan.
33'
Well that is the danger for Newcastle. They have defended really well in this first half, but when you have so much of it to do it only seems like a matter of time before a bad bounce or something will go against you. Now they must stray from their approach and start committing bodies forward.
30'
A. Ramsey has scored a goal for Arsenal!
THIS ONE WILL COUNT! Arsenal lead 1-0! Persistence pays off for the Gunners as they get a friendly bounce, with Lacazette losing the ball in the area, but a deflection takes it kindly into the path of Ramsey who places a delicious first-time finish off the far post and in!
25'
Ritchie has a few choice words for the referee's assistant on the touchline after he feels as though he was twice fouled by Lacazette in the penalty area, before the striker sent a header wide on the end of Iwobi's cross. He has a case, too.
23'
The ball remains firmly in the Newcastle end, with the visitors finding no respite in defence. They're doing well to continuously answer the questions Arsenal throw at them, but they need to start finding a way to hit back.
21'
Iwobi picks out an incisive ball through for Lacazette, who turns smartly in the area and looks to lay it off for Monreal who would have had a clean look at goal from 10 yards, but Lascelles reads it brilliantly to intervene and snuff out the chance.
19'
Newcastle are doing really well to close their gaps quickly, and they continue to defend excellently, but they're too wasteful in possession. They need to do better when they win the ball to actually keep it for a while longer, so as not to invite Arsenal forward straight away again.
15'
Creating chances against Newcastle, especially the way they're set up here, is no easy task, so that disallowed goal hurts that much more for Arsenal. The hosts continue to dominate possession, but they're going to have to stay patient in their search for a breakthrough.
11'
Arsenal are looking equally capable in defence. Neither side has been able to find a rhythm yet on the front foot and it's made these back lines look impenetrable as a result.
9'
Newcastle are defending with great tenacity, making life quite difficult on Arsenal who are struggling to get the ball into the danger areas. On a few occasions now they've got forward on the flank before having to retreat all the way back to half after failing to find a way through.
5'
Better from Arsenal, as they start to show a bit of intent. A clever passage of play, full of one-touch passes, leads to Lacazette trying to play Iwobi through, but a smart defensive header from Lejeune breaks up play as Dubravka is able to get off his line and collect.
3'
A sluggish start to proceedings with little of note taking place over the opening few minutes. Arsenal have adopted a slow, patient approach in possession, hardly attempting to get the ball forward thus far.
1'
AND THEY'RE OFF! Newcastle in their black and white stripes as they get the match underway, with Arsenal in their red tops with white trim.
Hello and welcome to live coverage of this Monday night Premier League match as Arsenal welcome Newcastle to the Emirates!
Opportunity knocks for Arsenal as a win here would see them end the night in third place, jumping ahead of Manchester United and north London rivals Tottenham following their defeat at Anfield on Sunday.
There is little room for error over the season’s final two months with the top-four race so congested, that Unai Emery will feel three points here are a must – and he should be confident with his side last dropping points at home in the league in November.
While Arsenal have been cruising at the Emirates, Newcastle have certainly had their share of struggles away from home, beating only Huddersfield Town and Burnley on their travels this season.
Surely any sort of result will please Rafa Benitez tonight, and Cardiff’s defeat on Sunday means the Magpies can move 10 points clear of the drop zone with a win, and they will be feeling a bit of pressure after Burnley and Southampton claimed victory on Saturday.
SUBS: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Mohamed Elneny, Denis Suarez, Eddie Nketiah, Petr Cech, Carl Jenkinson, Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
NEWCASTLE (5-4-1): Martin Dubravka; DeAndre Yedlin, Florian Lejeune, Jamaal Lascelles, Paul Dummett, Matt Ritchie; Ayoze Perez, Mohamed Diame, Isaac Hayden, Miguel Almiron; Salomon Rondon.
SUBS: Ki Sung-yeung, Kenedy, Karl Darlow, Yoshinori Muto, Jonjo Shelvey, Federico Fernandez, Javier Manquillo.
Newcastle have offered nothing going forward and could really use another body in midfield to help better link their defence and attack. Taking off one of their centre-backs for someone like Shelvey or Ki could go a long way for them if they are to find a way back in this match.
Up next for Arsenal is a trip to Everton on Sunday as they will look to keep the momentum going, while Newcastle return home to face Crystal Palace. That's all for our live coverage, thanks for following along. Goodbye!
Commentary
More…