This archive report was first published on 11 August 2019.
Unai Emery's Arsenal side began their Premier League campaign on a positive note, defeating Newcastle 1-0 at St James' Park on Sunday, August 11, 2019.
The Gunners, who finished last season in turmoil, were boosted by a string of new signings during the close-season, including David Luiz, Dani Ceballos, and Nicolas Pepe.
However, Emery opted to leave the trio on the bench, instead starting 19-year-old academy graduates Reiss Nelson and Joe Willock.
Despite the absence of Mesut Ozil and Sead Kolasinac, who were victims of an attempted car-jacking in July, Arsenal's defence held firm, with centre-backs Calum Chambers and Sokratis keeping Newcastle at bay.
Joelinton, Newcastle's club-record signing from Hoffenheim, had his first sights of goal when he flicked a header just wide from Matt Ritchie's cross and then blasted straight at Arsenal keeper Bernd Leno.
Jonjo Shelvey went even closer for Newcastle as the midfielder hit the outside of a post with a stinging strike.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan squandered a golden chance to give Arsenal the lead, the unmarked midfielder firing wildly over the bar from 10 yards.
But it was Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who proved to be the difference-maker, scoring the only goal of the game in the 58th minute.
Aubameyang's strike, which came after a timely interception by Ainsley Maitland-Niles, ruined Newcastle manager Steve Bruce's first match in charge of the club he supported as a boy.
Emery's decision to leave the new signings on the bench was rewarded by a determined display from his team, who took three points without conceding.
