![Newcastle United v Arsenal FC - Premier League](data:image/svg+xml,<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 594 392"></svg>)
Arsenal kicked off their 2019/20 campaign in solid fashion, beating Newcastle United 1-0 at St. James Park. The Gunners were able to lay a marker on their quest for a top 4 finish by sealing a first away win of the campaign, a feeling they hope won’t be a collector’s item this season. This was the first time the Gunners had kept a clean sheet and won an opening game since the 2008/09 campaign.
The game was decided by a 58th-minute strike from last season’s top scorer, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Latching onto a perfectly weighted pass from Ainsley Maitland-Niles, the Gabonese international dinked past a rushing out Dubravka.
The victory sees Arsenal win only their third opening weekend game in a decade. While for the Magpies, they now haven’t won an opening game in the Premier League in their last six attempts.
Here are 5 talking points from Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Newcastle.
#5 Calum Chambers' MOTM performance
Throughout the summer, Arsenal fans were losing sleep at the prospect of the Gunners not signing a centre-back. In the end, they purchased David Luiz on deadline day for a measly £8m. But no one seemed to remember that Fulham’s 2018/19 player of the season had returned to North London.
As seen in pre-season, Chambers partnered Sokratis, as Unai Emery promised he’d only be picking players he knew were 100% ready.
Calum Chambers repaid the boss’s faith with an exceptional performance. Up against a physical Joelinton, Chambers stood his ground not showing any sign of weakness. The 24-year-old was never seen out of position, neither did he lose any aerial duels.
Newcastle opted to play in a direct style, forcing the Englishman to make three clearances and win three aerials. Calum Chambers has played over 50 PL games and today his experience at a young age shone through.
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