Robin Van Persie’s brace has given Arsenal a commanding 2-0 lead at halftime over Newcatsle United in the Premiership clash at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

The Gunners could have had a perfect start as they had a great chance to score in the 3rd minute, but captain William Gallas miscued his shot from centre of the six-yard box sending the ball over the cross bar following a corner by Van Persie.

Kolo Toure was soon denied by an excellent diving save by Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given, who tipped the ball round the post off a low long-range shot from the Ivory Coast international.

The north-Londoners continued to bombard their rivals with attacking intent, and forced a mistake from the visitors following another corner that led to open play and Emmanuel Adebayor’s cross from right side of the penalty area was handled by Charles N’Zogbia leaving no alternative to referee Rob Styles than to point to the penalty spot.

Dutch ace Van Persie took a perfect penalty, slamming the ball past Given into the bottom right corner in the 18th minute.

Newcastle failed to get even a shot on target as most of the time their midfield was pinned in their own half, and there was no supply for Michael Owen and Shola Ameobi up front.

The Gunners continued with their eye-pleasing brand of football, but Fabricio Coloccini in particular, made some important interventions to prevent them from adding to the tally before Given came up with another fine save this time palming Van Persie’s free kick away.

Jonas Gutierrez created a superb chance for the Magpies in the 37th minute, when he drove into the rival area from right channel, before squaring the ball for onrushing Owen. The Newcastle captain’s shot was, however, deflected off his team-mate Ameobi out of play as the latter got in the way.

At the other end, the Gunners were agonisingly close to doubling their lead, but were frustrated to see Adebayor’s shot miss the mark by a narrow margin. However, they did not have to wait for a long time to add to the scoreline.

In a fluid passing move, Adebayor on right side, linked up with Emmanuel Eboue, whose clever back-heel set up the advancing Van Persie for a sweet lunging volley in the 42nd minute.

Gunners keeper Manuel Almunia kept their lead intact at the stroke of the half time interval as he made a crucial save, parrying Owen’s header away following a good corner-kick from Danny Guthrie.

Teams:

Arsenal: Manuel Almunia, Bacary Sagna, Kolo Toure, William Gallas (capt), Gael Clichy, Samir Nasri, Denilson, Cesc Fabregas, Emmanuel Eboue, Robin van Persie, Emmanuel Adebayor.

Substitutes not used: Lukasz Fabianski, Carlos Vela, Theo Walcott, Aaron Ramsey, Alexandre Song, Johan Djourou, Nicklas Bendtner.

Newcastle United: Shay Given, Habib Beye, Jose Enrique (Sebastien Bassong 44), Steven Taylor, Fabricio Coloccini, Danny Guthrie, Nicky Butt, Jonas Gutierrez, Charles N'Zogbia, Michael Owen (capt), Shola Ameobi.

Substitutes not used: Steve Harper, Joey Barton, David Edgar, Ben Tozer, Ryan Donaldson, Nile Ranger.