Arsenal legend Ian Wright has branded Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's close-range miss against Newcastle as "unforgivable" despite the Gunners returned to winning ways on Saturday.
Mikel Arteta’s men responded well to a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Liverpool the week before, when they hosted bottom of the league Newcastle who were finally led out by new boss Eddie Howe.
The deadlock was broken early in the second half as a brilliant team move was finished off by Bukayo Saka, who was fed through on goal from an Albert Sambi Lokonga pass.
The home side doubled their lead quickly after, as substitute Gabriel Martinelli's volley from Takehiro Tomiyasu's chipped cross into the box beat Martin Dubravka in the Newcastle United net.
Despite their victory, Arsenal could have opened the scoring much sooner, though, through Aubameyang.
Emile Smith Rowe had a gilt-edged chance from a ball in the box, with his header forcing a save Dubravka, who palmed it out.
The clearance fell to Aubameyang just a few yards from goal, and with the whole target to aim at. However, the Gunners captain snatched at the chance and hit it straight at the post before the ball drifted wide.
Speaking on Premier League productions, Wright was critical of the striker: "Poor finishing. That's a great chance. It's a fantastic ball.
"It's quite an easy save for the goalkeeper. For me, Emile Smith Rowe has to score first of all from where he is.
"But this [Aubameyang's miss], there's no excuse for that. I don’t know what to say.
"He's a top goal scorer, he's got himself in a position and he's just leaning back. He thinks it's foregone in his mind, but he's actually missed the goal. It's hit the outside of the post.
"For me, it’s an unforgivable miss."
