Arsenal 2-0 Newcastle: Player ratings as Ramsey and Lacazette give Gunners win

Arsenal took a major step towards the Premier League top four as they edged a 2-0 win over Newcastle at the Emirates.

Aaron Ramsey impressed throughout with and scored the opener in a tight affair before Alexandre Lacazette sealed three points with eight minutes remaining.

The goalscorers were the pick of the bunch in a solid all-around team display for the home side, who were deserved winners against a well-drilled Newcastle side.

But it wasn't all positive for Arsenal as the visitors looked threatening on a few occasions as the hosts failed to put the game to bed until the final 10 minutes.

Here is how players from both teams rated after a match which could have major implications in the race to secure Champions League football next season.

Arsenal came away with a vital three points at the Emirates (WILL OLIVER/EPA-EFE/REX)

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ARSENAL

Leno 7 - Assured with his hands and feet. A calming presence between the sticks.

Mustafi 5 - Accident waiting to happen at times. Sloppy on the ball and invited problems.

Sokratis 7 - Rough and rugged as ever but had his hands full with Rondon.

Monreal 6 - Booked. Played Newcastle onside a couple of times but was otherwise steady.

Maitland-Niles 7 - Growing in confidence. Comfortable as right-wing back again. Controlled flank.

Mustafi (left) was shaky again for the Gunners in defence (Getty Images)

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Guendouzi 7 - Mature performance as deepest midfielder. Never rushed on the ball.

Ramsey 8 - Dangerous all night with roving role. One goal ruled out, one counted.

Kolasinac 7 - Booked. Got forward well. Deliveries from the left repeatedly dangerous again.

Iwobi 7 - Involved in some of Arsenal's slick, first-half moves with clever touches.

Lacazette sealed victory for Arsenal with less than 10 minutes remaining (Getty Images)

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Ozil 7 - Made himself difficult to pick up by roaming all over the pitch.

Lacazette MOTM 8 - Movement caused problems all night. Deserved his goal, a clever lob.

SUBS

Aubameyang (for Iwobi 61) 7

Elneny (for Ramsey 67) 6

Mkhitaryan (for Ozil 84) 5

Aubameyang came on after an hour having been left out of the starting line-up (Catherine Ivill)

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NEWCASTLE

Dubravka 6 - Seemed a little slow to react for the goal. Good handling prevented further problems.

Yedlin 6 - Unlucky and unwanted role in Arsenal opener. Deflected ball to Ramsey.

Lascelles 6 - Involved in mixup for Arsenal goal with Yedlin. Solid otherwise.

Lejeune 6 - Started central, not afraid to step out of position to track his man.

Dummett 7- Looked comfortable as centre-half in visitors' back three. Did his job well.

Paul Dummett was the pick of Newcastle's defenders (Serena Taylor)

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Ritchie 7 - Showed his defensive instincts with stunning goal line clearance to deny Lacazette.

Perez 5 - Hardly impacted the game going forward. Spent most of the game as extra midfield body.

Hayden 5 - Game largely passed him by. Arsenal won the central midfield battle.

Diame 6- Got through fair amount of dirty work in front of Newcastle defence.

Salomon Rondon missed Newcastle's best chance in the first half (Catherine Ivill)

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Almiron 5 - Lively start. Couple of nice touches. But faded quickly as game wore on.

Rondon 7 - Led line well with minimal service. Real handful especially when he bullied Sokratis.

SUBS

Ki (for Hayden 67) 6

Muto (for Perez 77) 6

Kenedy (for Ritchie 75)  5