Eberechi-eze-shines-for-arsenal-in-newcastle-win-as-mikel-arteta-takes-handbrake-off-premier-league-hits-and-missesWhat a difference a week makes. Mikel Arteta took the handbrake off against Newcastle after being widely criticised for his caution against Man City and it paid off for the Arsenal manager as his side won the type of game only champions do.Eberechi Eze starting through the middle for the first time in the league had Arsenal playing Newcastle off the park for most of the game. The playmaker restored a fluidity to Arsenal’s play that has been missed over the last 12 months.Ironically, it was Mikel Merino, whom everyone had called for Eze to replace in midfield, that came on to spark the comeback, but there can be no doubting that Arteta’s decision was justified by the performance that preceded his changes.The Arsenal manager now knows he can trust Eze in the big games which provides him with a luxury of options for every challenge that lies in wait in this title challenge. The nature of the victory, although early in the season, will only add to the sense that this is their year.This was the second league game running in which Arteta has brought on the man that has scored the equaliser. Perhaps he was right that his “finishers” could be as crucial as his starters this season.Nothing points to Arsenal’s growth more than the fact the controversy around the penalty is now just a footnote. Arteta says there was no need for the VAR to intervene, but his post-match comments will largely go unnoticed because his side went and won anyway.