Arsenal 3-0 Newcastle Utd

Aug 31 2008 Donald Macdougall Reports

ARSENAL tore the Toon apart following their midweek Euro demolition job on Twente Enschede to silence the snipers who had labelled them a club in crisis.

Gone were the misfiring Gunners who had slumped to a shock 1-0 defeat at Fulham to be replaced by a lethal, free-flowing machine that was value for even more goals.

Robin van Persie netted twice and Brazilian youngster Denilson added a third as Kevin Keegan's side were shredded.

Arsenal's first came from the spot in 18 minutes after the ball had hit Charles N'Zogbia on his trailing arm. Van Persie dispatched the kick low past Shay Given.

Arsenal made it 2-0 in 41 minutes when van Persie smashed the ball home from a clever Emmanuel Eboue backheel.

Wenger's men continued in the same vein after the break and in 59 minutes Denilson made it three with another superbly crafted goal.

Samir Nasri worked himself space in the box before tapping the ball back to Adebayor. The Togo frontman laid it off sideways where Denilson was on hand to slip the ball past a wrong-footed Given.

Adebayor said: "We put in a little bit of heart and as soon as we believed in our quality we created chances. It was important to show character and personality."

Keegan slammed the penalty award and said: "That was a nonsense.

It hit his arm but when you are so close to the ball it is harsh.

"Arsenal are an excellent side but we played well and needed the breaks they got."