Arsenal regained their place at the top of the Premier League as Eberechi Eze's first-half strike was enough for the Gunners to beat Newcastle in a hard-fought match at Emirates Stadium.

Mikel Arteta's side had dropped to second place for the first time since October after Manchester City's win against Burnley in midweek had seen them go top of the table on goal difference.

Arsenal started the game well and took the lead in the ninth minute through Eze after a well-worked short corner.

The England international was passed the ball on the edge of the box by Kai Havertz and curled an excellent strike into the top corner.

Newcastle had chances of their own through William Osula, Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali but could not find a way to score in the first half.

Eddie Howe introduced Yoane Wissa and Harvey Barnes after the break as the away side chased an equaliser.

And Wissa missed a golden opportunity late on to level the match as Newcastle were defeated for the fourth league match in a row.

The win moves Arsenal three points clear at the top of the Premier League having played a game more than title-rivals Manchester City.

The only negative of the day for the Gunners was that both Havertz and Eze had to be substituted with injury.

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This was a tricky assignment for Arsenal after suffering back-to-back defeats in the league for the first time this season and losing to Manchester City last week.

However, the Gunners navigated through this difficult match to secure a vital three points in the title race.

The short corner with which they took the lead - their 17th goal from a corner this season - was initially not welcomed by supporters with Martin Odegaard gesturing for calm from his own fans as the Gunners celebrated what proved to be their winner.

When Havertz was withdrawn through injury in the first half and Viktor Gyokeres was subbed on in his place, the Gunners lost their ability to hold on to the ball upfront.

That will be a worry for Arteta at this time of the season and with the Champions League semi-final against Atletico Madrid coming up next week.

Eze had to be withdrawn too but all that will matter to Arsenal fans is that they managed to secure what could be a crucial three points in this title race with Manchester City.

The Arsenal players fell to the floor with the effort they put in and now they have given themselves the chance to double their lead at the top of the table next week when they take on Fulham before City are next in league action.

Newcastle have had far worse defeats at Emirates Stadium over the years. The frustration for the visitors was they had been given advance warning before Eze's opener, which ultimately decided this game.

Head coach Eddie Howe had Arsenal's aerial threat in mind with his team selection as he handed the 6ft 7in Dan Burn a rare start at left-back and recalled towering goalkeeper Nick Pope.

But Arsenal surprised the visitors by going short with each of their opening three corner routines.

The second should have sent alarm bells ringing after the unmarked Eze fired wide from outside the box, but Newcastle failed to take note and the midfielder opened the scoring from a similar position just a few minutes later.

Newcastle were left kicking themselves.

Arsenal have scored just two goals from short corners in the Premier League this season - and both have come against Howe's side.

The visitors could have gone under, but they didn't.

Blunt Newcastle have been so drained of confidence that they have looked reluctant to even shoot at times in recent weeks following damaging defeats by Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, Sunderland and Barcelona.

That was not the case on Saturday.

Newcastle racked up plenty of efforts from distance but the visitors lacked an edge in the final third as the Emirates grew a little anxious, even after Howe turned to his bench and threw on Barnes, Wissa, Nick Woltemade and, finally, Anthony Elanga.

Howe's anguish on the touchline after a stretching Wissa volleyed over said it all as his side fell to a ninth defeat in 12 league games.

What next for these teams?

Arsenal next play when they travel to take on Atletico Madrid in the Champions League semi-final first leg on Wednesday (20:00 BST). They welcome Fulham in their next Premier League game on Saturday, 2 May (17:30).

Newcastle United host Brighton and Hove Albion in the Premier League next Saturday (15:00). (BBC)