Arsenal consolidated their fourth place position in the league table with a comfortable 3-1 win over Newcastle United on Saturday.

With Aston Villa scheduled to take on Liverpool on Sunday, Arsenal were keen to exert more pressure on their rivals but were uninspiring in the first half as Newcastle hung on to their clean sheet.

The hosts should have had taken the lead in the 23rd minute when they were awarded a penalty after Ryan Taylor was fouled inside the area by Manuel Almunia but Obafemi Martins missed the chance as his weak shot left the Arsenal keeper with a comfortable finish.

Arsenal stepped up the pressure in the second half and were rewarded in the 57th minute when Nicklas Bendtner tapped home Andrei Arshavin's free kick to finally put his side in front. However the lead lasted just one minute as Newcastle immediately struck back through Martins who latched on to a poor clearance from William Gallas.

Just when it looked as if Arsenal would slip up, the visitors were back in front when Abou Diaby linked up with Robin Van Persie before slotting the ball home from 18 yards out in the 64th minute.

The Gunners made sure of the points three minutes later when Samir Nasri smashed home a stinging drive from a tight angle leaving keeper Steve Harper with no chance to save the shot.