London: Andy Carroll headed Newcastle to its first victory over Arsenal in five years on Sunday, withstanding fresh off-field turmoil to clinch a 1-0 victory in the Premier League.
Carroll rose above Arsenal goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski to head Joey Barton's deep free kick into the net on the stroke of half time.
"There are many who would get results here and it typifies a wonderful team performance," Newcastle manager Chris Hughton said.
Carroll secured a third successive league win for the promoted side hours after a tabloid newspaper published allegations about his private life.
The 21-year-old striker was fined last month for attacking a man in a nightclub and has been charged with assaulting a former girlfriend.
But on the pitch, Carroll has hit six goals in 11 matches to keep Newcastle near the top of the standings.
Arsenal, though, has now lost to two promoted sides, having been beaten by West Bromwich Albion in September. The Gunners had Laurent Koscielny sent off in stoppage time after the defender fouled Nile Ranger on the edge of the penalty area.
But there was positive news for the London side, with Robin van Persie coming off the bench in the second half to make his first appearance since injuring his left ankle on Aug 28.
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