3 takeaways from Arsenal's narrow victory over Newcastle

In what is usually a high-scoring affair, Saturday's tilt between Arsenal and Newcastle at the Emirates was anything but, as the host edged past the Magpies 1-0 to widen its gap atop the Premier League table.

It was a languid performance from Arsenal, which was lucky not to concede in the second half on several occasions.

Centre-back Laurent Koscielny scored a scrappy poacher's goal behind a napping Ayoze Perez in the 72nd minute to cement the result for the Gunners, who now hold a two-point advantage above Leicester City after the Foxes' goalless stalemate with Bournemouth on Saturday.

Here are three takeaways from Saturday's match at the Emirates:

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain continues campaign of struggles

Starting on Saturday in place of Joel Campbell on the right wing, England international Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain continued a poor run of form for the Gunners with another underwhelming display against Newcastle.

Blessed with pace and attacking impetus in the final third, Oxlade-Chamberlain appeared uncertain of his role in his sixth league start of the season, with a hamstring injury against Sheffield Wednesday so far hampering what should have been a breakout campaign for the 22-year-old winger.

Lucky not to have been carded in the first half, Oxlade-Chamberlain struggled in all areas of the pitch, and was slow to track back and defend in areas where Campbell has been outstanding this season.

An insipid 58th-minute cross that skied yards above Rob Elliot's goal was a microcosm of his efforts on the day before he was subbed off for Campbell in the 68th minute.

Mitrovic, Perez, Wijnaldum trio should be enough to keep Newcastle up

Midway through the Premier League campaign, Magpies manager Steve McClaren has found his best XI, marked by the lethal attack duo of Aleksandar Mitrovic and Perez.

A fox-in-the-box prototype, Mitrovic is a physical presence on set pieces complimented by Perez's pace and movement. The two were opted for in place of Magpies vet Papiss Cisse and summer signing Siem de Jong, as McClaren slotted in Georginio Wijnaldum behind the two in the areas ignored by an off-the-pace Mathieu Flamini.

Petr Cech's save on Wijnaldum in the 48th minute was Newcastle's best chance of the day.

The trio have combined for 14 of Newcastle's 19 goals this season, as McClaren appears to have blessed the club with a promising summer transfer window that's seen the arrivals of Mitrovic, Wijnaldum, and young defender Chancel Mbemba.

Laurent Koscielny's value cannot be undersold

Arguably the Premier League's best centre-back, Laurent Koscielny was again vital to Arsenal's efforts Saturday, pairing the match-winner with repeated last-ditch efforts to snuff out the attacks of Mitrovic and company.

The goal was Koscielny's third of the campaign, after the French international was given reprieve Saturday against Bournemouth in place of Gabriel.

It was his 15th goal since joining the north London side in 2010-11 from Lorient, with his pace and resolve the perfect compliment to the stationary and angular Per Mertesacker.