​​Arsenal's 2-0 win over Newcastle United at St James' Park avenged last season’s Champions League heartbreak to keep the pressure on Premier League title rivals Manchester City.

After the April blip (six points from possible 15) and pain of their previous trip to the North East (a 2-0 loss last May), Sunday’s game showcased the progress the Gunners have made this season, rising to the challenge in a hostile atmosphere.

Mikel Arteta stuck with Jorginho after a solid performance against former club Chelsea and the Italian put in a man-of-the-match performance, acting as Arsenal’s metronome against the Magpies. 

Jorginho afforded Arsenal greater control and composure on the ball, a key factor in turning the tide after Newcastle’s fast start, when they hit the post and had a penalty decision overturned by VAR. 

Alongside skipper Martin Odegaard, who opened the scoring with his 15th goal of the season, Jorginho went demanding the ball when Arsenal were looking shaky early on, building rhythm and getting the passing game going.

Polish defender Jakub Kiwior was another to retain his place from the Chelsea game and, like Jorginho, produced a great showing, helping Arsenal to play higher up the pitch with his composure on the ball and pace and physicality off it.

A key part of Manchester City’s 10-game winning streak has been Pep Guardiola’s ability to tweak an already working system to maximise his personnel and keep opponents guessing.

In Jorginho and Kiwior, Arteta may be doing just that, albeit it may now be too late in the title race.

Another area in which Arteta impressed against Newcastle was his substitutions.

During games in April, Arteta was criticised for his use of subs at times, but on Sunday, he recognised that Oleksandr Zinchenko was struggling defensively and made the switch to Kieran Tierney on the hour mark.

The Scottish international helped to shore Arsenal up and preserve their clean sheet, as Gabriel Martinelli's low cross was turned into his own net by Fabian Schar.

The manager and players are the youngest group in the league, and at times it has shown, but each week we’re watching them grow and it’s clear that the team isn’t backing down. 

The title is out of Arsenal’s control but closing the season out and hitting 90 points would be an amazing finish, regardless of how the final table ends up.

Arsenal host European hopefuls Brighton at the Emirates on Sunday (4.30pm), after the Seagulls slumped to a surprising 5-1 home defeat at the hands of relegation-threatened Everton on Bank Holiday Monday.

City, a point clear with a game in hand, visit Goodison Park in the earlier 2pm kick-off.