Second-half goals from Granit Xhaka and Mesut Ozil led Arsenal to victory in the north east before Ciaran Clark claimed a late consolation for the home side, but the Gunners made it three wins on the bounce. Read Layth Yousif’s player ratings from St James’ Park

ARSENAL

Petr Cech: 7 - Deserves better than to be made to play out from the back after his stellar career. Has nothing left to prove after nearly two decades in the game but still displays a wholehearted team ethic even if his best years are behind him.

Hector Bellerin: 7 - A conundrum. Excellent going forward but still lacks defensive discipline and solidity.

Sokratis: 7 - Showed good anticipation when mopping up after Jacob Murphy burst through and offered excellent timing when sliding in with last-gasp challenges. A work in progress but a competent showing on a challenging afternoon.

Mustafi: 6 - His slip could have led to a goal and generally unconvincing as ever.

Nacho Monreal: 6.5 - Unsung but played an important role.

Matteo Guendouzi: 7 - Raw but a fast learner. Always offers options to give and receive the ball. Replaced at half-time for Torreira.

Granit Xhaka: 7.5 - Distribution is not as effective as it should be, nor is his dynamism anywhere near what is required in such a fluid system. Lacks creativity and is not powerful enough to dominate games from such a central position. But when he displays such magnificent dead ball skills as he did for the goal you can forgive him.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang: 7 - Threatened down the left flank with his jet-heeled pace but could not get behind a determined United defence. Disappointed to be subbed off, but then so he should be – all good players want to play. Move along, nothing to see here.

Aaron Ramsey: 6.5 - Spurned an excellent chance when well-placed midway through the first half for reasons hard to fathom. A quiet game before making way for Welbeck late on.

Mesut Ozil: 7 - His spatial awareness and ability to spot an opening is unrivalled. Unfortunately he can never seem to dominate away games enough to be able to display this rare and beautiful skill as much as he should. Superb composure and technique to slot home his goal.

Alexandre Lacazette: 7.5 - Involved in an absorbing duel with the Toon backline including Federico Fernandez. Unlucky with a couple of shots but gave his all as he does every time he plays for the club.

Substitutes:

Lucas Torreira: 7.5 - On for the hard-working Guendouzi at half-time. Shaped as if he was going to take the free-kick that Xhaka scored from early in the second period. Always influential when he plays. Hard to understand why he doesn’t start every match.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan: 7 – On for Aubameyang

Danny Welbeck: 7 - On for Ramsey late on.

NEWCASTLE UNITED:

Martin Dubravka: 5.5

Paul Dummett: 6

Jamaal Lascelles: 6

Jacob Murphy: 6

Mo Diame: 6

Matt Ritchie: 6

Isaac Hayden: 6

Ayoze Perez: 6.5

Federico Fernandez: 6.5

Joselu: 6.5

DeAndre Yedlin: 6

Substitutes:

Kenedy: 5.5

Clark: 7

Muto: 6

Follow Arsenal reporter Layth on Twitter @laythy29