The Magpies played host to the Gunners having gone four games unbeaten in the Premier League prior to this weekend’s clash, but failed to ever really get started against Mikel Arteta’s men and were punished accordingly.

Goals from Mohamed Elneny and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang were enough to wrap up a third Arsenal win over the Toon Army this season, and to sink Steve Bruce’s men down to 17th in the table.

If there is a silver lining, however, it is that they are still nine points clear of the relegation zone with just four games left to go, and while they are not mathematically safe just yet, it would take a hugely unlikely series of events to drag them into that bottom three.

Another disappointing setback for the Magpies came when Fabian Schar was shown a red card late on, and Bruce was quick to offer his view on the dismissal.

Speaking after the game, he said: "The way it is at the moment and the rules are, there's no tackles anymore.

“I don't think it deserves a red. Maybe it's a yellow.

"Is it dangerous? Not really. We're playing Arsenal so you have to get into them. When that stops it becomes very difficult. I have sympathy for Fabian Schar. He tries to win the tackle. Maybe a yellow card but certainly not a red."

We’ve gathered the best of today’s Premier League transfer rumours involving Newcastle United and the rest of their top flight rivals below...