Considering that Arsenal was unable to field anywhere near their first team this was an impressive result on a rainy day away at Newcastle.
To some degree, it was a workmanlike performance and that is fine, not every game is going to be free-flowing exciting football with goals in abundance.
Maybe Newcastle shaded the first half but they hardly put any pressure on Leno’s goal and the much-maligned defence did well with the midfielders doing their bit.
There was a lack of energy but it has to be remembered this was the first game of the season, there were some players that could have done better but it would be slightly petty to pick on any individual when playing conditions were not at their optimum.
Satisfactory is probably the best word, to sum up, the first half.
The second half started off a bit like the first half, however, some players did start to step up their game, Willock was impressive throughout and Nelson showed significantly more energy in the second half.
Xhaka definitely improved, though I cannot same the same for Mkhitaryan who really has lost the ability to find an end product.
Aubameyang looked lively and deserved his goal, it was a great pass from Ainsley Maitland-Niles and a clinical finish from the Gabon international.
New signing Dani Ceballos and Nicolas Pepe came on in the 64th and 71st-minute respectively and while they never did anything extraordinary they did at least get a run out which will benefit them immensely in terms of match fitness.
Overall, this was not a great game of football but collecting all three points and keeping a clean sheet away from home with a team that was far from being the strongest side Unai Emery could have put out is absolutely acceptable.