Arsenal 1-0 Newcastle result - Mikel Arteta's team return to Premier League summit thanks to first-half Eberechi Eze goal

A lone goal from Eberechi Eze against Newcastle put Arsenal back top of the table but it was not a performance to give their supporters belief that they will win the Premier League.

In a match against one of the Premier League’s out-of-form sides, Arsenal fans might have hoped for a convincing victory but they created little before half-time with Eze’s unstoppable effort curling away from goalkeeper Nick Pope and in their lone shot on target.

Whether Eze can have much more impact in the run-in is in question after he limped off injured in the second half.

Newcastle could easily have come out of the match with a point after David Raya was almost deceived by a Sandro Tonali strike from long range and Yoane Wissa, after being set up by a fantastic ball from fellow substitute Nick Woltemade, contrived to sky the ball over from eight yards out.

The sense of dread for The Gunners was dissipated somewhat by the return of Bukayo Saka who, after his 81st-minute introduction, immediately came close to scoring himself and set Martin Odegaard up for an effort which forced a good save from Nick Pope.

Arsenal, who next up face Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final, will have the chance to extend their lead to six points next Saturday against Fulham at the Emirates, with Manchester City not playing until 48 hours later, at Everton.

They go three points clear of Manchester City but it was far from a convincing display.

With Newcastle committing upfield he ran into the opposition half and had a simple ball to play the ball across to Saka to run in, alone, on goal. But he delayed his pass and it was intercepted.

He fouled Woltemade on the halfway line and then stopped him taking a quick free kick.

Once more Saka's threat makes a difference. Newcastle need to double up to cover him, so he slides the ball back to Odegaard whose firm effort is pushed away at the near post.

He will play on the right flank with Barnes moving to the left.

But Raya is positioned well and catches his header a yard in front of his line.

With his first touch Saka turns inside Burn in the penalty area and shoots towards the far post, but the Newcastle defender gets something on the shot and it flies wide.

He replaces Madueke and Lewis-Skelly comes on for Zubimendi.

A fantastic dinked ball from Woltemade over the Arsenal defence and, on the stretch, Wissa blasts high over the crossbar from eight yards out.

The skipper has played well but may not have 90 minutes in his legs at present.

He came a long way from his goal to make a clearance and then, after missing the ball, deliberately kept sliding and brought down Gyokeres. Thiaw was covering behind him though so it is only a yellow.

But his effort, which with him falling over did not have much power, was deflected wide.

He brings down Willock to stop a counter-attack.

He brings down Odegaard's ball on his chest, but the Brazilian's effort is blocked.

The feel-good factor of bringing Saka on could change things but the home fans are getting frustrated.

Barnes replaces Murphy and Wissa comes on for Osula.

But, when he might have tried to shoot from the edge of the area, he tried to take on Thiaw and was dispossessed.

It worked for the Eze goal but they have not looked threatening since then.