There were two minutes and 19 seconds on the clock when Mikel Arteta and fourth official Anthony Taylor first exchanged words over a decision made by referee Paul Tierney on a night that had all the pre-match ingredients to become fraught and fractious.
But instead of the simmering tensions from November’s fixture boiling over, Arsenal took the view that revenge is a dish best-served cold. If Arteta felt “sick” and “ashamed” over the standard of refereeing in that defeat at St James’ Park, the emotional swing from this skewering could hardly be more different.
The Gunners began with phenomenal intensity that turned their opponents into a wretched mess. Sven Botman was credited with an own goal for the opener, though there was not much he could do about Tino Livramento botching a clearance onto his knee as he lay on the deck a yard from goal.
And Arsenal’s second was the equivalent of a hot knife through butter as Jorginho floated a ball over the top to Gabriel Martinelli, he cut back to Kai Havertz and the former Chelsea man made no mistake.
But the gap in quality was far greater than two goals. Arsenal were first to everything, their press suffocating and movement devastating. It was probably their most convincing half of the season so far.
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It can be hard to sustain a grudge match narrative when the gulf in class is so great. And although there were plenty of tasty tackles and a couple of questionable examples of delay tactics from a Newcastle side desperate to catch their breath, this was a match in which the home side’s glorious football did all the talking.
Eddie Howe remained almost impassive in a chastening opening half. There were many notes taken in the early exchanges but as the play developed, as Arsenal outfought and out-thought their visitors, the Newcastle manager folded his arms.
There were some ideas swapped with his assistant Jason Tindall and, as half-time approached and Newcastle enjoyed an opportunity to string more than two consecutive passes together, a bit of encouragement.
Eddie Howe grimaces on a miserable night for Newcastle away to ArsenalYet they reached the interval without a shot and just one touch inside the Arsenal penalty area. Some improvement followed early in the second half and Anthony Gordon caught a glimpse of goal only for his curling shot to be comfortably smothered by David Raya.
Howe barked some encouragement but Arsenal were well able to stifle the scent of Newcastle creativity. And when Saka cut in from the right before finishing past Fabian Schar’s dismal attempt to block, the result was assured.
Still Arsenal kept pushing and Jakub Kiwior was awarded the fourth goal when getting on the end of Declan Rice's corner, though it took a touch off Lewis Miley’s hands before squeezing past the arms of Loris Karius. Joe Willock, on as a substitute against his former club, did head in a consolation with six minutes to go.
But by this point Howe looked forlorn and fed up, hands in the pockets of his tracksuit, frown a little deeper. Arteta, meanwhile, continued to demand more from his team. The managers remained separated by 15 yards throughout. In terms of quality their teams were miles apart.
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