Ozil volley gives Arsenal 1-0 win over Newcastle

* Mesut Ozil scored the winner with a sublime volley

* The home side could have won by a bigger margin

* Petr Cech kept out a stinging shot by Joselu

* Ainsley Maitland-Niles had a fine game for Arsenal

* Arsenal next at home to Liverpool, Newcastle visit West Ham ARSENAL 1 NEWCASTLE UNITED 0

Dec 16 (Reuters) - A blistering first-half volley by Mesut Ozil gave Arsenal a 1-0 home win over Newcastle United on Saturday and lifted them into the Premier League's top four while it also piled more misery on the struggling Magpies.

Germany midfielder Ozil unleashed an unstoppable shot past visiting goalkeeper Rob Elliot in the 23rd minute as Arsenal celebrated their 10th successive top-flight win over Newcastle, who have now taken one point from their last nine league games.

The dominant home side missed several chances in either half while the visitors came close against the run of play in the 56th minute, when Arsenal keeper Petr Cech parried a fierce low shot by Spanish striker Joselu.

Talented left back Ainsley Maitland-Niles produced another fine performance for Arsenal and nearly scored after a darting solo run, with Alexis Sanchez and Jack Wilshere also coming close as the Gunners kept their rivals on the back foot.

(Writing by Zoran Milosavljevic,; Editing by Pritha Sarkar)