Aaron Ramsey believes patience was crucial in Arsenal’s win at 10-man Newcastle United on Sunday.

The Gunners had struggled to find the breakthrough at St James’ Park after Aleksandar Mitrovic had been sent off and Steve McClaren’s side played with a much deeper defensive line.

However, Fabricio Coloccini diverted Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s cross past his own goalkeeper to secure Arsenal’s second away win of the season.

"It was important just to be quite solid at the back, not to give them too many chances which we didn’t, to be patient and to take our chance where it came" Aaron Ramsey

“Sometimes it’s more difficult to play against 10 men because they dropped off quite deep and it was quite difficult to break down,” he said.

“It was important just to be quite solid at the back, not to give them too many chances which we didn’t, to be patient and to take our chance where it came. Fortunately we were able to do that.”

Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool all lost at the weekend and Ramsey is confident that Arsenal will be able to capitalise on the unpredictable nature of the Premier League when they return from the international break.

“So many things can happen in the league,” he said. “My view is to look at the table after 10 games and then see where everyone is then. So many things can happen.

“Hopefully that will be our only upset, the one at the beginning of the season, and if we go on a winning run to win our next five or six games, then maybe we’ll be there or thereabouts again. It’s important to just concentrate on what we can do.

“You can’t take too much into how the table’s looking so far. Teams are going to have upsets and hopefully the opening-day upset will be our only one for a long time.

"We’re happy with the win before the international break, and now I have a big week for Wales.”