Gunners off to winning start

Arsenal 2 Newcastle 0

New season, new refereeing controversy. Jermaine Jenas was already unhappy at life in the north-east but he fared little better in north London as he fell foul of the new refereeing crackdown on dangerous tackles before half-time at Highbury.

Just to make the Newcastle midfielder’s frustration even worse, Thierry Henry ensured that Arsenal took full advantage as he converted a late penalty to put the Gunners ahead.

Substitute Robin van Persie then shrugged off his recent investigation on a rape allegation, which he denies, to round off the scoring with three minutes left.

That put a reassuring gloss on the scoreline, although Newcastle, with new signings Scott Parker and Emre excellent in midfield, had battled hard throughout and were left bemoaning Jenas’ early dismissal.

The midfielder’s future was already shrouded in doubt, having revealed his unease at life in the supposed “goldfish bowl” of the city of Newcastle, sparking interest from Tottenham.

A three-game ban following this dismissal for his two-footed tackle on Gilberto Silva means he will not play for Newcastle at least until the end of the transfer window.

Arsenal’s immediate future was also looking uncertain until Freddie Ljungberg was brought down by substitute Charles N’Zogbia with 10 minutes left.

However, Henry stepped up to take one more stride towards the club’s goalscoring record by converting the penalty before van Persie rounded off an excellent late move to confirm victory.

Newcastle, whose defeat at Highbury last season coincided with the start of Craig Bellamy’s bust-up with Graeme Souness, were therefore left with yet more painful memories from north London.

With his team desperately short of strikers, Souness had fielded a five-man midfield – at least until Jenas’ dismissal – and that enabled them to hold their own with Arsenal early on.

Indeed, it was the visitors who created the first clear chance as Jenas’ through-ball gave Alan Shearer a sight of goal, only for the centre-forward to fire his shot just wide of the far post.

However, it was not until 13 minutes before half-time that the match burst into life as Jenas brought down Gilberto with a rash two-footed tackle.

He pleaded innocence and several observers thought it deserved only a yellow card, but he was immediately sent off by referee Steve Bennett following instructions to officials to cut out tackles which endanger players’ safety.

Newcastle responded with a ’goal’ ruled out for offside against Shearer, while Shay Given saved a snap-shot from Kolo Toure and Henry headed just wide.

However, with Newcastle now solely intent upon securing a draw, Arsenal were facing a battle to make the breakthrough in the second half.

Given and Steven Taylor required treatment after a collision as they defended a dangerous free-kick by Bergkamp, with the Newcastle keeper appearing to twist his neck as he landed.

Both players were able to continue but Newcastle remained under pressure as the industrious Parker was required to fling himself into a last-ditch block to deny Ljungberg from close range.

The Swede then escaped a booking despite clipping Emre from behind, while Henry earned a corner even though Given did excellently to deflect the ball behind off the striker as he raced clean through.

The decisions were going for Arsenal, but still they needed to score.

However, Toure’s long-range effort was saved, Taylor produced a vital interception and then Given raced out swiftly to save at Ljungberg’s feet as he scampered onto Henry’s flick.

Arsenal brought on Alexander Hleb and van Persie for Bergkamp and Pires, while Dyer was replaced by N’Zogbia, but it was the removal of Shearer for James Milner that was rather more surprising.

Newcastle’s resistance was finally undone with 10 minutes left, when N’Zogbia was adjudged to have caught Ljungberg from behind as he burst into the penalty area.

Referee Bennett pointed immediately to the spot and, although Given dived the right way, Henry’s penalty was sweetly struck and sped inside the right-hand upright.

Newcastle pushed forward in search of an equaliser but were caught on the break with three minutes as Arsenal broke at pace for Ljungberg to cross for substitute van Persie to beat Given at the near post.

Arsenal were up and running, but Newcastle’s problems continue to mount.