In another world, Gooners would have been celebrating a comfortable win against Newcastle last time out. Instead, we’re left ruing a loss that could very well mark the end of our League Cup ambitions this season. As we all know, goals from Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon condemned us to a disappointing defeat on Tuesday night. The loss was our first at the Emirates in eight months—the last one (against Aston Villa) played a significant role in denying us the Premier League title last season. This latest setback, like the one before it, could come at the cost of silverware if we’re unable to overturn the deficit in the second leg.
On another day, we might have won that game 3–2. The stats certainly suggest so. Arsenal posted a total xG of 3.09 compared to Newcastle’s 1.22, creating 23 shots and six big chances. But those big chances were squandered, to the frustration of the Arsenal faithful. With numbers like that, it’s tempting to lay all the blame on our attack, but that wouldn’t tell the full story. Yes, we failed to convert chances, but our defence also deserves scrutiny for the goals we conceded.
Both goals Newcastle scored came from situations that didn’t initially seem threatening, and that’s what made them so frustrating. The first goal stemmed from uncharacteristic defending. A simple high punt upfield caused confusion, and after Saliba failed to win the initial header, the rest of the backline was caught ball-watching. The ball rather fortuitously fell to Newcastle’s most lethal finisher, and Isak made no mistake. Perhaps you could say there was an element of luck involved, but the defensive lapses in concentration certainly played their part.
The second goal was even harder to excuse. Allowing Isak that much time and space inside the box to fashion a shot was unacceptable. Our defenders should have done far better to contain him before his effort led to Gordon’s tap-in. Both goals, especially the second, came against the run of play, scored from the few chances Newcastle had throughout the match. In some ways, we were unlucky—but that shouldn’t be used as an excuse.
At the end of the day, the reality is that we should have scored multiple goals, and we didn’t. A post I came across online claimed the difference between the two sides was Alexander Isak. While he wasn’t the entire difference—Newcastle’s defensive resilience and hunger also played a big role—Isak was undoubtedly a difference-maker. He was heavily involved in both goals, and I can’t recall seeing a striker unsettle Saliba and Gabriel the way he did in this game. Both defenders could—and should—have done better in containing him, though they weren’t solely to blame for the goals.
With Saka out and our attacking options stretched paper-thin, our defence needs to be more solid than ever to provide balance. We’ll have to sharpen up in the coming games, but I’m confident we have enough quality to do so. Let’s hope we bounce back stronger!
BENJAMIN KENNETH.
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Sadly, the author is sadly correct. Our defense has to pitch a shut out and play perfectly every week to compensate for Martinelli missing one v one breakaways, Havertz heading gilt edge scoring chances off his shoulder and Trossard having less touches than David Raya. Oh, the defenders needs to score on set pieces to……because Arsenal’s forwards are just dreadfully second tier. Gabby Jesus and Havertz…..£500k per week for two guys who have spent most of the year looking likey couldn’t kick the ball into the North Sea from the deck of an off shore drilling platform.
Yeah its disgusting to think our front line now earns 700k a week and have 15 goals between them
Also in my view inadequate grit from the Arsenal players from midfield forwards. Virtually every player satisfied to pass backwards or sideways at the slightest indication of a block by the opposition. Very few attempts to do any one on one take ons or muscle past any challenges. Take a look at Solanke’s hardwork for spurs to assist their only goal yesterday, i cant think of any arsenal forward player asides maybe Saka who would be willing to match Konate in a foot race and then go shoulder to shoulder with him. I dont doubt the talent in our team, but they need to improve their psyches!
This is I think, the main failure now. We pass sideways or back on most occasions, we seem unable to move forward either via a pass forward or heaven forbid, taking on the opposition and beating them when we have the ball.
We have gone past applauding failure. The team that played against Newcastle didn’t do well the stats are clear for all to consider. Many fans have stayed positive even when the coach and the Boys needs to opt their ante. There is really no compliment when you lose at home with 2:0 to a team that ended our unbeaten run early season with 1:0 and then defeated us again at Emirate stadium.
And then the coach came out to say we couldn’t score due to bad ball. What an excuse from a coach who’s players needs to do better.A top notch CF wouldn’t miss what Matinelli missed in a competitive match because the goal can define a lot. So I boldly say they played poorly upfront.
While I think there’s some truth to the article, I swear around half of those 6 clear chances against Newcastle came from corners or set pieces, maybe more – yes we’re good attackers from that perspective, but it’s not really what people are getting at when they say our attack is poor. We want to see more speed and cohesiveness when playing forwards, better ability to get away from defenders to deliver clean shots, passes and crosses, and better delivery into the box when the opportunities do come in open play. Set piece goals are great but we shouldn’t be relying on them, and I think they’re a bit of a crutch for us now.
It’s also the same defenders we’re criticising, fairly, for their poor defending who are often our most likely goalscorers – so what are the attackers really doing?
For those claiming that we don’t need a striker, Look at the difference Isak made in that game, and compare that to the impact Havertz and Jesus had; can you still honestly say we don’t need a striker?
Isak is levels above Havertz and Jesus, but then again neither are strikers; 1 is a 10 and the other is a winger, both masquerading as strikers.
We clearly need something more in the attack, even with a healthy Saka. Strange how Arteta’s system doesn’t operate with an out and out striker, However he needs an out and out striker to get any sort of tune from his slow motion, crab-like passing system.
How come Eddie Howe noticed he needed a true striker and Mikel thinks he can win silverware with false strikers? Just need a new coach. Nuno has taken an average Forest to joint second as on date, Slot has taken Pool to first, CFC with Enzo in his first season is not far behind. Enough of excuses – the Carabao ball was the worst I’ve heard. Can there be a better excuse next time Mikel?
Fans want striker. it is Arteta who claims he has good and reliable CF. Jesus is a fraud who shines in few games than returns to his default quality.
A good article Benjamin which rightly highlights our defensive deficiencies which many fans on JA seem to ignore when assessing our teams performances.While I accept the need for a quality striker and ideally another winger,we cannot turn a blind eye to the laborious build up possession football which invariably results in our centre backs having more touches of the ball than any other Arsenal players.Our Manager’s obsession with playing an inverted LB is having a detrimental impact on the performance of Gabriel who is becoming more and more isolated in the conventional LB position where is is charged with starting out build up play.The fact is,while Gabriel is a defensive warrior who has a lot of credit in the Bank, he does not have the technical skills to link play quickly in tight spaces nor the pace and control to drive forward and commit opponents.He and to a lesser extent Saliba, are only comfortable playing short square passes and back passes which have become a sad feature of our play theses days.I suspect they are under instructions not to try long probing passes ,which we see from Liverpool from Virgil VD and more especially Alexander Arnold.No we ,the fans are being subjected to slow motion ,boring football which is turning me off big time and will certainly not bring us any meaningful success.Only one man can revitalise our team by changing from the present inverted, safety first nonsense to more conventional tactics used by most of the elite Clubs in Europe.
I couldn’t agree more Grandad this safety first football drives me up the wall. What happened to the exciting football we played in the 22/23 season? I know some will say we didn’t win anything but we were contending with a City side at it’s peak and arguably the top EPL team ever. I can’t understand why the manager decided to go risk averse, reminds me of a Mourinho Chelsea team except he had Drogba. Can’t see us winning the EPL unfortunately.
Mourinho has the reputation of being very defensive, but in most games, they were just dominant – they were fully capable of controlling games and creating plenty of chances in the routine games – I don’t even think they were terribly boring to watch in those games, even though they were incredibly solid defensively. It was only in the biggest games against sides he thought could overwhelm them if he went toe-to-toe when negative football was really the tactic imo. It was the same when he was at inter, and simeone is the same with atletico imo.
We seem to play negative football against most sides and really struggle to release the handbrake. It looks like we’re scared to go for it at times – only saka breaks that mould at all.
This was also the case when George Graham was our manager.
Perhaps Mourinho learnt those tactics from him?
I don’t know enough about it, but I see it as that basic divide between idealistic managers and pragmatic ones. George Graham and mourinho are definitely pragmatists – doesn’t mean they’re always boring, but it does mean they’re willing to be boring when it’s necessary.
Newcastle play a pragmatic game, and I don’t find their playing style boring – they’re not as good as those mourinho-Chelsea sides, but I do see similarities in how they play
Great Post Grandad ,the only thing I would add is the time-wasting and play acting tactics that has also crept into our game.Embarrassing.
Rumours are that we are interested in another defender and goalkeeper both from Spain.This time a want away centre half from Barcelona. Hope for sanity’s sake they are simply unfounded nonsense or we really are becoming some kind of ” couldn’t make it up”, sideshow. I guess the defender would be inverted on the wing, while the backup goalkeeper could play as a false nine. But seriously I have to agree with grandad’s footballing wisdom. Arteta has to be braver. Two fast wing backs and a striker would sharpen up everything. After all our defensive record this season is not exactly outstanding, so why not go for it.
I’m cool with a new goalkeeper.
A good one.
Simple question
How many truly great saves did Newcastle keeper have to make ?
I think Newcastle were comfortable and believed Arsenal would not break them down ?
The Newcastle goalkeeper didn’t have to make great saves because Arsenal attackers didn’t actually make great attempts.
Whatever the stats say, the results prove we aren’t doing well at all and we can’t be excited about all this!!
Results are primary and the rest is secondary or even tertiary. Tastes bad when we even blame match balls after losing when results elsewhere are consistent with different balls lately.
If you don’t want to win then don’t concede. The team depends much on Saka for goals and creativity. our defenders this season could have done better esp. against Liverpool , Fulham and Chelsea. Seems big Gabriel is no longer interested in scoring those set pieces
The double negative at the start of your comment turns your suggestion upside down🙃
Am I beginning to sound like Jon Fox😱?
You haven’t written CLOWNS in capital letters but you did pick up on z’s grammar so 5 out of 10 for effort ✔️
And I haven’t even got an English degree Sue.😁
Agree with article.
Our defence has been lacking this season. I wonder if Declan Rice’s dip in form in this season has something to do with it. Couldn’t help but think if he was playing like last season we would be a little closer to Liverpool.
His cover is defence in front of the CBs was better last season.
They are the team who made Harry Maguire a very good defender.. That’s their quality