SUPERSUB Emile Smith Rowe steered Arsenal a safe but scrappy passage into the FA Cup fourth round.
The young midfielder pinged home the opening goal in the second half of extra-time to finally undo a plucky Newcastle side.
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Emile Smith Rowe scored coming off the bench and was a classy performerCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Willian once again offered Arsenal nothing except cornersCredit: AFP or licensors
And Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang sealed safe passage when he tapped home Kieran Tierney’s cross with three minutes to go.
But the 2-0 victory was far from a classic.
And several Gunners players could be fearing for their Emirates futures with the transfer window now open.
Here, SunSport’s John Hutchinson runs through how the Arsenal players fared in their cup clash.
Bernd Leno – 6/10
Barely touched the ball in the first half as Arsenal dominated possession.
Still looks shaky trying to play with the ball at the back with his defenders but made a brilliant save to deny Andy Carroll as the clocked ticked onto 90 minutes.
Cedric Soares – 6
Another chance to show Arteta that he can be the solution at right-back if Hector Bellerin departs for Barcelona.
But struggled to keep up with the industrious Miguel Almiron and ended up getting a blundering yellow card.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang tapped home the second to seal safe passageCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
David Luiz – 7
Now firmly known more for his passing ability than his rock-solid defending.
Pinged a beauty out to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang 25 minutes in but the captain failed to find the back of the net.
Pablo Mari was solid enough at the back for ArsenalCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Pablo Mari – 7
Seemed to enjoy the battle with Andy Carroll.
Played his way into first-team contention in recent weeks after returning from injury, and has been a big part of the Gunners’ turnaround.
Kieran Tierney – 9
Arsenal’s best player this season by a country mile and it was the same story against Newcastle.
Offers the Gunners solidity defending and pace and power on the attack – a real talent.
Mo Elneny – 6
Does a job in the middle of the park, but not really enough for a side with top-four aspirations.
More reliable than all the others in that position though, so can see why he plays.
Joe Willock – 5
Wouldn’t be surprised to see Willock one of the players allowed to leave the Emirates this month.
Sits too deep when he should be impacting the game, would only ever be a squad player.
Nicolas Pepe continues to fail to justify his £72million price tagCredit: Reuters
Nicolas Pepe – 5
Shared corner duties with Willian and that’s the only thing the pair really did well.
Gunners fans probably can’t believe Pepe was signed ahead of Wilfried Zaha.
Willian – 4
Despite only joining in the summer, Arsenal fans’ patience seems to have run out with the Brazilian.
His corners were decent, but once again he struggled in open play to do anything.
Reiss Nelson – 5
The man to benefit from Gabriel Martinelli’s unfortunate injury in the warm-up, Nelson shows confidence when on the ball.
But it’s that final, incisive pass that still lacks in his game and he was hooked for match-winner Smith Rowe on 56 minutes.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang spurned a host of good chances but did net late onCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – 6
Had enough chances in the game and was in his favoured central striker role.
But for whatever reason, the Gabon attacker is not the same player as last season, despite his late tap-in.
Subs
Emile Smith Rowe (replaced Nelson 56) – 8
Clearly one of the form players at the moment, and was his industrious self when introduced.
Thankfully VAR changed the red card the ref showed him to a yellow – the correct decision. He then blasted home the winner in extra-time.
Granit Xhaka (replaced Willock 66) – 6
Perhaps not the attacking change Gunners fans would have hoped for at 0-0, but you know what you’re getting with Xhaka.
Bukayo Saka (replaced Willian 66) – 6
Not his usually busy self. Struggled to change the borefest.
Alexandre Lacazette (replaced Pepe 105) – 5
Introduced for the second half of extra-time.
Ainsley Ainsley Maitland-Niles (replaced Cedric, 119)
N/A.
Not used: Runar Runarsson, Calum Chambers, Eddie Nketiah
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Martinelli suffers injury during warm-up for FA Cup clash with Newcastle in huge blow for Arsenal
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
