ARSENAL showed the so-called hallmark of champions by winning ugly in a tense, rain-soaked clash with relegation battlers Newcastle at the Emirates this afternoon (Saturday).

The Gunners put daylight between their closest title rivals after Leicester City failed to beat ten man Bournemouth.

It was a stuttering, scrappy match that could so easily have swung in Newcastle's favour.

After the game, Wenger said: "Our legs were heavy and our fluency was not there, it was about 'let's stick together and try to win how we can'. Honestly, I feel sorry for the Newcastle players as they played very well. 

Koscielny kept Arsenal at the top of the table

"When you are a long time in the game like me you know that this kind of win shows a mental aspect that is very important."

Laurent Koscielny prodded in from close range on 73 mins after Olivier Giroud climbed highest and headed down to him after a penalty box scramble.

It was harsh on Newcastle who had dominated much of the match and restricted Arsenal to a solitary strike on goal up until the breakthrough. 

They had the calm, security of Petr Cech to thank for stopping several shots from the visitors, including two one-on-one chances, with Wenger singling out "two big saves" in the post match press conference.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was particularly disappointing, while Theo Walcott struggled to run effectively with the ball and Mesut Ozil could not pick out a killer pass. 

Howls of anger and frustration from the fans overwhelmed the stadium as torrential rain beat down on their heads on a gloomy, cold night.

Newcastle had countless opportunities but hopes of a rare point at the Emirates evaporated with Koscielny's late strike. The match seemed to open up for the Gunners when Joel Cambpell replaced a dejected Chamberlain shortly before the goal.

Wenger said: "We have 42 points. It is too early to talk [about the league]. Let's focus as we are in strong position today. We have given a lot over Christmas – we have nine points from four games, that's not bad."

Wenger said there was no news on the anticipated transfer of Elneny but suggeste at least one player will be signed in the January transfer window.

Arsenal: Cech, Bellerin, Monreal, Mertesacker (c), Koscielny, Ozil, Oxlade-Chamberlain (Campbell 68), Flamini, Ramsey, Walcott (Gibbs 81), Giroud (Chambersn 89)
Subs not used: Iwobi, Ospina, Reine Adelaide, Gabriel

Attendance: 59257