Arsenal suffered a significant setback in the title race following a disappointing 1-0 loss to Newcastle United at St. James’ Park.
The Gunners had a rough start, conceding early in the match when Alexander Isak capitalized on Anthony Gordon’s precise cross to score with a header within the first 15 minutes.
Throughout the first half, Arsenal found it difficult to gain momentum but came close to equalizing when Lewis Hall heroically blocked a shot from Mikel Merino right on the goal line.
In an effort to turn the game around, manager Mikel Arteta made tactical changes after halftime, bringing on Ethan Nwaneri, Oleksandr Zinchenko, and Gabriel Jesus.
Despite these substitutions, Arsenal struggled to generate meaningful scoring opportunities, with their only notable chance coming late in the game when Declan Rice missed a critical attempt.
Football.london provided individual player ratings for Arsenal based on their performances during the match.
David Raya: The goalkeeper made several solid claims when dealing with crosses but was left helpless for the goal.
He delivered an adequate performance overall. Rating: 6.
Thomas Partey: Initially played at right-back but had difficulty maintaining his previous strong form from the Liverpool match.
His errant header played a part in Newcastle’s goal. He improved after moving to midfield, but it was too late to make a difference. Rating: 5.
William Saliba: Had a tough time containing Isak and faced additional pressure from Joelinton and Willock.
Although he demonstrated some skill on the ball, he struggled defensively in one-on-one duels. Rating: 5.
Gabriel: His return was a positive for Arsenal, and he performed solidly on defense, but he was unable to prevent the early goal. Rating: 5.
Jurrien Timber: Limited in his influence over Gordon’s excellent delivery that led to the goal.
However, he defended competently and contributed consistently throughout the match. Rating: 6.
Declan Rice: Usually reliable in set-piece situations, Rice’s delivery was below his typical standard in this match.
He played with more impact in an advanced role but missed a significant late scoring chance. Rating: 6.
Mikel Merino: The match was not the triumphant return he would have hoped for at St. James’ Park.
He came close to scoring with a shot that was cleared off the line, but beyond set-piece duties, he was mostly quiet and received a booking. Rating: 5.
Bukayo Saka: Had a subdued performance, with only a few notable moments in the first half. He struggled to make a meaningful impact in attacking areas. Rating: 6.
Gabriel Martinelli: Delivered a lackluster display, finding it difficult to beat his markers and pose any real threat. Rating: 5.
Leandro Trossard: Had an underwhelming afternoon, with ineffective dribbling and errant passing. Rating: 5.
Kai Havertz: Contributed little to the match, struggling to compete effectively against Burn and Schar.
He did manage one good cross to Saka, but that was one of his few positive moments. Rating: 5.
SUBSTITUTES
Oleksandr Zinchenko: Failed to provide the expected stability in possession and was wasteful with the ball.
Ethan Nwaneri: Came on with energy and added more attacking drive after the tactical shift, but failed to create clear chances, managing only one notable opportunity.
Overall, Arsenal’s performance lacked the sharpness needed to overcome Newcastle, resulting in a missed opportunity to stay competitive in the title race.
