17 mins: That opening goal came against the run of play but it doesn’t look as though it’ll be the only goal in this game. Newcastle are threatening with every attack and the Gunners have plenty of firepower too.

14 mins: Arsenal lead! They’ve been under the pump but a free kick allows them to get men up the pitch. Dan Burn clears the initial ball but the Gunners manage to recycle it.

Bukayo Saka can’t find a way into the box from the right so sends it inside where the ball comes to Martin Odegaard.

Odegaard is about 20 yards out and lets fly with his left foot. The shot flies through a defender’s legs meanign Nick Pope sees it late. He leaps to his left but can’t reach the ball as it nestles into the bottom corner!

12 mins: It took a couple of minutes to come to the decision not to award the penalty which should have settled Arsenal a little. Newcastle have had two or three big chances already and look hungry for more.

Newcastle 0-0 Arsenal

9 mins: Arsenal have a reprieve! The ball struck Jakub Kiwior’s leg first before bouncing up onto his hand. The Newcastle fans aren’t happy but it’s the correct decision.

Newcastle 0-0 Arsenal

7 mins: Bruno Guimaraes fizzes a shot into the penalty area after receiving the ball from a Newcastle corner. Jakub Kiwior blocks the effort with his right hand and all the home players appeal for a penalty.

The referee points to the spot and VAR will take a look at this one.

6 mins: Arsenal attempt to exert some control on the match through Jorginho who is confident in possession. He orchestrates the defence to send the ball over to the right wing where Bukayo Saka tries to weave around Dan Burn and gets fouled.

The home fans are making a lot of noise. They like the aggressive start Newcastle have made.

4 mins: Newcastle have started as the more electric and aggressive side. They’re bullying Arsenal off the ball and flying up the pitch with pace.

The Gunners just need to weather this early storm.

2 mins: Off the post! Newcastle win the ball in the middle of the pitch and break out for their own half with a pass out to Joe Willock on the left side.

He storms down the line and whips over a lovely cross that comes to Jacob Murphy.

Murphy has time and space to check onto his left foot and smoke a shot to the far bottom corner but his effort rattles into the woodwork and bounces away!

Arsenal get the ball rolling at St. James’ Park. They work it over to the left side where Joelinton leaps up and wins the aerial ball but his nod down gives the ball back to the Gunners who send it back to the defence.

“We are going to have to be very good out of possession. Our performance is going to be in our defending, whether that is pressing or defending deeper, we are going to have to be very good because they have got outstanding players and a really good way of playing.

“We’re at home so we want to play a certain way here, we want to involve the crowd. The best way to do that is to show our intent to win, whether we are in or out of possession.”