Premiere League: Nervy Arsenal go back to top as Eze seals vital win over Newcastle

London: Arsenal arrested their slump in form with Eberechi Eze's superb early goal securing ⁠an ugly 1-0 home win against ⁠Newcastle United to reclaim ‌top spot in ​the Premier League on Saturday.

After successive league defeats to Bournemouth and Manchester City, Arsenal were knocked off the ​summit for ⁠the first time since October by City on Wednesday but they responded to secure three vital ⁠points.

It was ‌far from convincing, however, and the quality of Eze's ‌sublime 10th-minute strike was at odds with ⁠the rest of a laboured and edgy display by ‌Mikel Arteta's side.

Arsenal made ‌heavy weather of it against ‌an out-of-form Newcastle side and ‌the nervousness around the stadium was apparent throughout with Yoane Wissa blazing a glorious ⁠late ⁠chance over the crossbar for the visitors.

With Manchester City in FA Cup semi-final action, Arsenal moved to 73 points from 34 games with City on 70 from ​33.

Newcastle's fourth successive league defeat left ​them in ​14th place and with pressure mounting on Eddie ​Howe.