Arsenal returned to winning ways in the Premier League courtesy of a 4-1 victory over Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium this evening.
Olivier Giroud and Santi Cazorla both netted twice in the victory, with Ayoze Perez replying for the Magpies shortly after the hour mark.
Here, Sports Mole looks at who impressed during an entertaining clash in London.
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ARSENAL
Goal
Wojciech Szczesny: Made a fine double save to keep his side ahead in the first half and could do nothing about the goal. Had very little action otherwise. (7/10)
Defence
Hector Bellerin: Picked up the assist for Giroud's second goal and was a threat bombing down the right flank throughout. A very accomplished display from the youngster. (8/10)
Per Mertesacker: Almost opened the scoring with a flicked header that struck the underside of the bar. Will have been disappointed by the marking for Newcastle's goal, but in general had a good game at the back. (7/10)
Mathieu Debuchy: Filled in at centre-back for the first time in his career and did not look out of place at all. Coped with the threat of Cisse comfortably throughout. (7/10)
Kieran Gibbs: Solid performance at left-back. Did not get forward as much as Bellerin on the other side, but linked well with Welbeck when he did advance. (6/10)
Midfield
Mathieu Flamini: Gifted Newcastle one chance with a sloppy pass, but was tidy in possession other than that. Provided good protection for his back four. (6/10)
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain: Filled in alongside Flamini and did not look too troubled playing in a deeper role than usual. (7/10)
Alexis Sanchez: Was almost always involved in some way or another. Was on the end of plenty of fouls, but always bounced back up and had another go. As usual, an impressive display capped off with the assist for the opening goal. (8/10)
Santi Cazorla: Two goals for the Spaniard, both of which saw him chip the ball home. His first was very well taken, while the second was a Panenka from the penalty spot. (8/10)
Danny Welbeck: Had a goal perhaps harshly disallowed shortly after the opener. Won the penalty for his side with a late burst forward and was full of energy all game. (7/10)
Attack
Olivier Giroud: Opened the scoring with a textbook header that he did really well to attack inside the box. Doubled his personal tally in the second half with a clever finish at the front post. (8/10)
Substitutes
Lukas Podolski: Replaced Giroud with just over 15 minutes remaining, but did not really have an impact during his time on the field. (6/10)
Francis Coquelin: Recalled from his loan this week and had a three-minute cameo at the end as Arsenal saw the game out. (6/10)
Ashley Maitland-Niles: A memorable day for the youngster as he made his Premier League debut, but he was only on the field for a couple of minutes. (6/10)
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NEWCASTLE
Goal
Jak Alnwick: Not quite as successful as the third-choice keeper's debut against Chelsea. He could not do much about any of the goals, but he still conceded from every shot on target that he faced. (5/10)
Defence
Daryl Janmaat: Has been one of Newcastle's most consistent performers of late, but was not at his best this evening, struggling to deal with Arsenal's energetic attack. (5/10)
Fabricio Coloccini: Made a few important interceptions and tackles, but could not deal with Giroud when it really mattered. Also almost gifted Arsenal a goal in the second half with suicidal play in his own area. (5/10)
Mike Williamson: Also struggled and needed to be bailed out by Coloccini having gifted a two-on-one situation to the hosts in the second half. (5/10)
Paul Dummett: Found it tough against Sanchez and failed to prevent the cross that led to the first goal. Also conceded the penalty late on with a clumsy challenge on Welbeck. (5/10)
Midfield
Cheick Tiote: Broke up a number of attacks throughout, but struggled to contain the likes of Cazorla, Sanchez and Welbeck for the full 90 minutes. (5/10)
Jack Colback: Full of energy and gave everything for his side under difficult conditions. Provided the assist for Perez's glancing header. (7/10)
Ayoze Perez: Got his side's goal when he capitalised on some shoddy marking inside the box. Was quiet apart from that, however, and was taken off with eight minutes to go. (6/10)
Yoan Gouffran: Threatened with a good header in the first half that drew a fine stop from Szczesny. Found it difficult to make an impact from open play, though. (5/10)
Sammy Ameobi: Showed glimpses of making something happen with his quick feet, but ultimately got very little joy before being replaced in the 56th minute. (5/10)
Attack
Papiss Cisse: Still appears to have a bigger impact off the bench. Did not keep the ball anywhere near well enough this afternoon and squandered the one chance that did fall his way, somehow not finding the back of the net from just a couple of yards out. (4/10)
Substitutes
Emmanuel Riviere: Replaced Cisse before the hour mark, but failed to change the game, getting no more joy than the departed striker. (6/10)
Remy Cabella: Came on at the same time as Riviere as Pardew looked to respond having fallen two goals behind, but was anonymous for most of his time on the field. (6/10)
Adam Armstrong: Introduced with eight minutes of normal time remaining and had one shot that was saved by Szczesny. (6/10)
Barney Corkhill
