Arsenal Under-21s are second in the Under-21’s Premier League after losing 2-1 to top-of-the-table Newcastle United at Meadow Park on Monday.

Magpies defender Remi Streete scored a brace before Brandon Ormonde-Ottewill pulled one back for the hosts at the death.

Gunners boss Steve Gatting made six changes to his starting XI, with the likes of Hector Bellerin, Chuba Akpom and Francis Coquelin all part of Arsene Wenger’s first-team squad for the 2-1 League Cup defeat by Southampton on Tuesday.

Dan Barlaser had the first chance for Newcastle, bursting into the penalty area unmarked, only to volley Jamie Sterry’s cross narrowly wide of the post.

In the 19th minute, the Magpies did take the lead when centre-back Streete headed beyond Matt Macey in the Arsenal goal.

Dan Crowley came close to equalising for the Gunners soon after, sending a free-kick over the crossbar.

Left-sider Shane Ferguson then came close for the Toon, seeing his effort pushed away by the agile Macey to limit the score to 1-0 at the break.

Gatting’s side came out strongly at the beginning of the second half, with winger Alex Iwobi drawing a good stop from Newcastle keeper Jak Alnwick. Crowley came close again soon after, testing the visiting goalkeeper with a dangerous free-kick.

Newcastle doubled their lead just after the hour with a goal similar to their first. Liam Smith delivered a free-kick and Streete got up highest to head beyond Macey to double the away side’s advantage.

Gedion Zelalem came close once more for the home side, but was again denied by the impressive Alnwick.

The Gunners did get one back when Ormonde-Ottewill found himself unmarked to convert at the far post.