Arsenal's 5 star display

Newcastle 0-5 Arsenal

St James' Park: (50,816)

Goal Scorers:

Sane (6) Mbappe (20) Messi (60,73,77)

MOTM: Messi (3 Goals) (1 Assist)

Newly promoted Newcastle welcomed Arsenal to St James' Park on Sunday night. After an excellent championship campaign last season, Newcastle boss Mark could be forgiven for taking his foot off the gas and his players for sitting back and taking in the new surroundings. Newcastle nevertheless came into this one with confidence and with results in the bag already, a 2-1 opening day win at Old Trafford against the struggling United and a impressive 2-2 draw against a also under pressure Chelsea team. Arsenal needed to take this one seriously avoiding the mistakes made last season against teams of Newcastle's quality.

Arsenal themselves have had some good results thus far this season. Impressive displays in the pre-season friendlies backed up with good 2-0 win in performances against Man United and a 1-0 shut out win at Lazio in the Champions league. Newcastle the perfect banana skin for Arsenals early charge.

FIRST HALF

Arsenal came out the traps all guns blazing. Christian Eriksen the man behind some of the best Arsenal plays this season looking lively, already a problem for Newcastle. Arsenal's starting approach paid off in the 6th minute of play. Matic allowed to move into a advanced position playing in young German Sane with a aerial ball, Sane, in full stride, picking up the ball with a lovely first touch, striking the ball at the first opportunity past Newcastle keeper Moraes. Not the first time the Newcastle shot stopper would be picking the ball out of his net.

Three minutes later goal scorer Sane nearly turned provider for Messi, a rare missed opportunity from Arsenals new £79 million pound man. Newcastle lucky not to be 2 down within 10 minutes.

Little of note was produced from either side other then the opening exchanges, Newcastle had come to grips with the task that now loomed in front of them while Arsenal were happy to take their chances when presented with them. Then the 20th minute another Arsenal new boy, French wonder kid Mbappe, picking up a nicely weighted pass from Messi, striking the ball with power. Moraes beaten again, 2-0 Arsenal.

Arsenal looked ruthless again in the search for their 3rd, Eriksen, fast becoming a fan favourite, at the heart of play. Newcastle had their first real chance of note in the 33rd Messi finding himself closer to his own goal then the opponent's (to the displeasure of manager Ben Clifford)

giving away a free kick and picking up a yellow card in the process. Suarez of Newcastle taking the resulting free kick hit a good effort around the 4 man Arsenal wall, Lloris, however, was well placed and saw the effort all the way. Half time shortly followed Newcastle looking out of ideas.

H/T 2-0 Arsenal

SECOND HALF

Newcastle had a few choice words ringing in the ears for sure judging by the start to the second half. Gabriel Jesus, a player Arsenal manager Ben Clifford admitting to attempting to sign, hitting a powerful shot which had Lloris scrambling, the ball whizzing past the keeper with the woodwork to thank for not making it a 2-1 game.

Mats Hummels, the most recent Arsenal signing went straight into the game at the back forming a new CB partnership with Alderweireld, was caught pulling the shirt of Newcastle man Suarez. Hummels found his way into the ref's note book picking up a yellow card. Newcastle were starting to find rhythm Arsenal on the back foot for the first time in the match, that was until the 60th Minute.

Newcastle made some changes, Kessie leaving the field with Lozano coming on. No more than 30 seconds had passed before Lozano found himself dealing with Messi, giving away a free kick 20 yards from goal. Who else but Messi to pick himself back up and take it, the stadium felt it and manager Ben Clifford must have sensed a goal was coming, with keeper Moraes slightly of his line Messi sensing the scape hit the ball. 3-0 Arsenal. Messi with the taste for goals now.

At 3-0 the game was over and damage limitations was the goal for Newcastle now, come the 73rd minute Messi had his second and Arsenal's 4th. Sane. who was having a excellent game after his early goal, picking up the assist, Messi hitting the ball low and hard with his left boot 4-0 Arsenal, the Newcastle fans making their way home.

Four minutes later, another free kick, the same man and the same outcome. Newcastle failed to learn the lesson and Messi had his first Arsenal hat-trick in the space of 17 minutes. Messi hitting the ball over the jumping Newcastle wall saw his effort dip wildly past the diving Newcastle keeper Moraes, who was no doubt thankful that this was to be the last ball he'd be picking out the net. 5-0 Arsenal job done.

FULL TIME 0-5 Arsenal

Arsenal Manager Ben Clifford -

"A fantastic win tonight against a team who have taken Division 1 by the horns. Newcastle's win against United and draw against Chelsea tells you what type of team they are - one not to be disregarded. Mark has built a squad there that will be expected to challenge for top honours in a few seasons time. Jesus was a target of mine but our funds were limited at the time of bidding and Newcastle were the first team to meet the price tag

"While Messi is doing exactly what we want I cant look past the overall attacking quality we have. Eriksen is fast becoming the team's playmaker. Sitting behind Messi is obviously easier due to the latter's quality, but as a number 9 you're only as good as your service. Eriksen and Sane are providing excellent service to the team. Another clean sheet to us is so vital the back four is settled now with Hummels coming in. Walker is now not longer heading to Tottenham which helps".