AP
Stoke City's Dave Kitson (left) celebrates his goal with Jamaican Ricardo Fuller during their Barclays Premier League match against Middlesbrough at Middlesbrough's Riverside Stadium yesterday. Stoke lost 2-1.

LONDON (AP):

ARSENAL DISMANTLED Newcastle 3-0 behind two first-half goals from Robin Van Persie yesterday, emphatically bouncing back from last weekend's surprise loss to Fulham.

Denilson added the third goal as Arsenal produced an attacking masterclass at Emirates Stadium that easily could have led to an even larger scoreline with sharper finishing.

Arsenal, who also routed FC Twente 4-0 in a Champions League qualifier on Wednesday, seemed rejuvenated by the return of Spain midfielder Cesc Fabregas and played with all their trademark flair and finesse that was missing during last Saturday's 1-0 loss at Craven Cottage.

Troubles compounded

For Newcastle, the loss compounded their troubles after losing key midfielder James Milner to Aston Villa this week.

Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan said he only had 14 fit senior players for the game and elected to include Joey Barton on the substitutes bench for the first time this season.

Barton, who was recently released from a jail sentence for assault, was greeted by loud boos by the home fans when coming on in the final minutes after the match had already been decided.

With the win, Arsenal have six points after three rounds, while Newcastle have four. Leaders Chelsea play Tottenham today.

Also yesterday, newcomers Hull suffered their first Premier League loss when they were thrashed by Wigan 5-0. The Tigers had four points after their first two games but went behind to Wigan after just five minutes when Sam Ricketts scored an own-goal. Antonio Valencia doubled the visitors' lead in the 13th.

Amr Zaki scored twice after the break - either side of a strike from Emile Heskey - to complete the easy win for Steve Bruce's side.

Today, it's Chelsea vs Tottenham; Aston Villa vs Liverpool and Sunderland vs Manchester City. Manchester United are without a league fixture this weekend, having lost to Zenit St Petersburg 2-1 in the European Super Cup on Friday.