Van Persie brace gives Gunners comfortable lead

Arsenal 2 Newcastle 0

A first-half double from Robin van Persie put Arsenal in charge against Newcastle at the Emirates Stadium.

Charles N’Zogbia was deemed to have handled a cross from Emmanuel Adebayor after 18 minutes and the Dutch striker made no mistake from 12 yards.

Newcastle could have levelled through Michael Owen, before Van Persie made it 2-0 with four minutes to go to the break.