Gabon were ahead on target when Arsenal beat Newcastle 2-0 in the third round of the FA Cup
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is hopeful Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s goal against Newcastle will move the move forward for the second half of the season.
The Gabonese international has been short of its best so far this term, but it filled late in extra time to pave Arsenal ‘s path into the fourth round of the FA Cup.
The goal was his second in four games, after he went on strike in the draw with Southampton on 16 December, and Arteta hopes his star’s confidence will be restored with his close end.
“It takes courage,” said Arteta BeIN Sports. “He needs to get some energy now too and start putting the ball in the net as he always did.
“I think today’s goal will be important to him.”
Arteta admitted that it has been difficult to integrate new players such as Willian because of the strict coronavirus procedures that limit communication among the squad.
“It’s a bigger challenge because we don’t spend a lot of time together,” said Arteta. “Team coherence is needed because we don’t have the time.
“We need to keep them to the best of our ability and increase resources. ”
The Arsenal win was the fourth on spinning in all competitions and Arteta feels a growing confidence in the camp.
He said: “We win and the movement goes, and then confidence grows and grows. ”
Arsenal looked more dangerous after the introduction of Emie Smith Rowe, Granit Xhaka and Bukayo Saka – and Arteta feel they have five substitutes to use, as allowed in the FA Cup, a great advantage.
“The players on the bench in this tournament are crucial,” Arteta said. “Five agents will give you a lot of choices.
“You’ll notice at the end of the game that when some players are a little leggy you can bring in new players and it can change the game.”
While Arsenal deserved winners, gamekeeper Bernd Leno had to make an excellent save late in the game to deny Andy Carroll.
“We made it difficult for ourselves because we had plenty of opportunities to put the game to bed much earlier, but we allowed them to stay in the game,” Arteta said.
“When you don’t score, at some point you’re going to take a chance as we did and we had to add our keeper – which he did with a great save. ”