DREADFUL!! Newcastle 1, Arsenal 0 - Match reactions and player ratings

[@seyiekhamo3371]

Honestly, playing Merino, Partey and Rice together hasnt been good at all on the creative front. Losing is a part of the game but the manner we lost today was a sign of concern. As important as Odegaard is, one persons absence shouldnt impct a team this much.

[@fookkheongchin4302]

Obviously we need a capable backup playmaker and also a left footed right winger to provide cover for Odegaard and Saka. If both of these two players not available or too tired to play every games, then I think this is the consequence.

[@fabioruiz6602]

Well party did play as RB so that's not the reason. We were just second best in every department

[@seyiekhamo3371]

@@fabioruiz6602but he still inverts into midfield regularly in possession

[@tichaonaGwaze-rp9od]

Arsenal was playing slow football no agency at all

[@chrismiller6317]

Utter 💩

[@cade3911]

Very surprised Trossard keeps starting, been woeful the last couple months

[@GenericMedusa99]

trossard is not the problem, its this clown of a manager persistence to play him in midfield is costing arsenal dearly, last season trossard was one of the worst players in end 2023 cuz he was forced to play midfield when rice was covering RCM when partey was injured, but this idiot arterta hasnt learned his lesson, so he plays trossard in midfield again.

[@peaceforallbeings1]

He should be on left ahead of even worse Marinelli or up front closer to goal.

[@oliverh4902]

Have to say, Merino has been seriously underwhelming. As has Sterling.

[@DurhamGooner]

Couldn't agree more.

[@sjchan3199]

Agree with sterling but think merino will come up roses

[@Karl-p6h]

Both shit signings and Calafiori seems to cry over any form of contact. Tue summer window was inexcusably poor and I hope it costs edu Arteta and garlic their jobs. Simple as that. Surely the Kroenkes will wake up soon and realise they’re having the piss taken out of them soon???

[@samthrupp1729]

why mention Sterling he didnt even play this game haha. his last game he played really well

[@Karl-p6h]

@@samthrupp1729 because it’s shit transfer business??? Do you realise how bad our summer window was? All of the summer signings were shite. Merino - to slow and 28/29 sterling - been shit for yrs. Calafiori - injured all the time.

[@sibusisombuli189]

Whatever Arteta does, Havertz must go back as a CF We can't break teams down because no one makes clever runs like him on the currently squad.

[@joeabrahams6680]

Great watch. Thanks Charles for calling it what it was and not trying to put a positive spin on it. Besides the result, it's the performance that worries me the most and contrary people may say, it's not an isolated one. Against Atalanta and Bournemouth it was right there and they've also been shades of it in some of our other matches. Even if we were playing till now, we still wouldn't have scored yet. I know it's a serious thing to say but we don't look motivated at all. Odegaard is perhaps a bigger miss than we'll all chose to admit. Troussard shouldn't be starting any matches right now, when we don't have the ball we lose the midfield because it's like we're playing with 10 men. I can't believe how our incredibly weak our midfield looked today. And for our defence... Naaah there's definitely something not right in this team right now and it's not even injuries anymore 😕

[@fabioruiz6602]

It's injuries.... If not then please highlight

[@joeabrahams6680]

@fabioruiz6602 For this match, we had only two starters not playing (Odegaard injury, White on the bench), it still didn't account for the shambolic display we put out. No spark, no creativity, no fight, no sense of urgency (most worryingly even after we conceded), misplaced passes, terrible crosses, I can go on. So you remember Pope making any "save"? But my point there is, today isn't just an isolated incident, go back and check our matches to see, even when Odegaard was playing earlier in the season. We haven't been very good and results have somewhat masked it. That's why you keep hearing comments like, "just get the 3 points even though the performance isn't all that good because it's still early in the season". We're 10 games in now, can you remember a league game we've played so far where our performance was anything close to the top ones of last season?

[@33fivers]

I feel like Arteta is doing his best to have Murino and Rice on the field at the same time. Thomas Partey has been our best midfielder, and we continue to use him RB.

[@matthewmcclure3682]

Yeah every time Partey is not in midfield, we can't progress the ball up the field

[@Kovacs901]

£105m on a midfielder who can’t pass forward and needs Partey to hold his hand. We got scammed 😭😭😭😭

[@33fivers]

@Kovacs901 He is a defensive midfielder and can only progress the ball with driving runs. He needs to be brave and play more balls over the top.

[@culgan86]

Nope, definitely not a side that looks to be challenging City or Liverpool. Arteta needs to do a massive rethink with regards to proper squad depth during the transfer windows & stop his "only" trusting his 14 odd players

[@Kevin-abc]

Year after year the mid block from Eddie Howe’s Newcastle have been our kryptonite. Regardless of the injuries, we’ve had our best players on the pitch in recent seasons too and we have always struggled against that tactic. I love arteta but surely he’s got to do something about this mid block.

[@NakulKrishna]

We don’t have any solution for that in our team and you just have to reiterate this last transfer window didn’t address any of our true weaknesses. We just doubled down on our strengths. We still don’t have a world class 8 with good dribbling on the turn in tight spaces to beat the mid block. We still don’t have transitional inevitability as George says. Nelli looking more and more like he’s hit his ceiling because his mental game can’t keep up with his physical. Jesus has been a massive failure of an investment. Our defence is strong but our attack looks toothless. Inevitably defences are going to give in but if we can’t score we aren’t winning shit.

[@samthrupp1729]

agree. We were outsmarted today and that's ok, it happnes. but i think Arteta's stubborness is the real villian today!

[@snipi3103]

The Merino project is not producing yet

[@ashaekuteku9591]

I guess you are being sarcastic. Merino should either start thinking faster and have the moves already rehearsed in his mind for multiple scenarios otherwise he won’t succeed at Arsenal.

[@geoffbutler2893]

That was horrific. Manager got it all wrong And that goes back to the awful summner window we had. Shocking

[@Amesy20]

Can’t blame summer window if we had bought anyone else those players wouldn’t have been in the first 11. Team selection wasn’t unexpected. We were disappointing all round, looked lethargic and too many players were below par.

[@NakulKrishna]

@@Amesy20you’re telling me if we went in and got an actual 8 that has physicality and pace and excitement and a winger in the top echelons of football for our long term future because we could after last season, we wouldn’t be better off? We’ve looked creatively impotent. How can you have a net zero spend when you’ve had your best finish in years and are this close. I wouldn’t even blame players like Saliba for leaving next summer because this past transfer window doesn’t scream intent to win, it screams holding on for dear life. This whole thing is giving me serious ptsd from the time when we had Cesc and Nasri and the rest who left because we couldn’t see the project through and didn’t show enough intent. Newcastle with their current form should be nowhere close to beating us but that’s what a world class finisher/striker gets you, a game changing factor that we lack in most games. Our mf was completely outdone and that’s on the recruitment.

[@adventurerwannabe]

​@@Amesy20why wouldnt they have been in the starting 11? Thats the problem. Raise your demands...we should have gone for at least 1 World class addition in the Front line. Kroenkes get away with it easily with this type of mentality

[@KevRay28976]

I have said it the past 2 years, and I will say it again... Not having a prolific goal scoring striker has cost us the title the past 2 seasons, and it's going to happen again. We may be missing Odegaard, but title winning teams do not rely on individual players, they rely on a squad. We have enough creativity, but creative midfield players need a striker making the right runs and being in the right places. I want us to concentrate on the cups, and I include the league cup in that. It will be 5 years with no trophy at the end of this season - not good enough.

[@cruzbohy]

Its like most fans said after the summer transfer window with SmithRowe gone and even Viera if Odergaard get injured we're fucked

[@coolsergio72]

Viera and ESR are not the answer.

[@4JJA14]

​@coolsergio72 he's not saying they are but they are both natural cover.

[@Kovacs901]

@@4JJA14 ESR has never played as a right sided 8, he’s only good on the left

[@nungiceman]

What annoyed me the most was that no one wanted to take responsibility. Every ball was side way. Passes were wayward. Miss hit after miss hit. Martinelli was like a headless chicken. Every time he bombed forward, he got double teamed, and he just ran into a cul-de-sac. Never told initiatives to break the double team or pass the ball early. Trossard was just as terrible. Rice's set piece was terrible.

[@sihlejali8453]

If we miss Odegaard why did they sell all the attacking midfielders we had and bring no one else in ?

[@adventurerwannabe]

Artetas quest to field 11 CB like players is why

[@KennyKapolyo]

First mistake was rotating party to right Ben white was okay,we were exposed, never the less we move forward

[@kennyego9264]

As I’ve said before, this Arsenal team is far from the one we saw over the last two seasons. Back then, we saw a hungry, motivated Arsenal putting everything into each game. This season, though, it feels like they’ve lost that drive, and it doesn’t seem like they even believe they can get close to winning the EPL. What’s worrying is how much we rely on one critical player, Martin Odegaard, to feel complete. In my opinion, we’ve wasted money on recycled players who add little to the team. I still question Kai Havertz’s purpose as well as Merino's. Jesus, Sterling, and others have yet to make a real impact. We need a strong striker and a solid midfielder. Kai Havertz, for example, isn’t the striker we need; he might score here and there, but that doesn’t make him a fit for Arsenal. If anyone believes we’re in the running for the EPL this season, I think they’re kidding themselves. Meanwhile, new Liverpool coach Arne Slot is already doing a great job, and they’re likely contenders. If that happens, Arteta should feel embarrassed.

[@arthursleep8307]

Hi Charles Great vlog.. this feels like the Blackburn at Highbury moment.. I know you know….it’s going to change from here..

[@AaronAlexandre-mc8nw]

Two things needs to be addressed Charles. First of all, we failed to cope with the loss of Odegaard. Compared to Mancity last season when they lost De Bruyne, Arteta did not found the appropriate tactic or player to replace Odegaard when needed. Mancity also had dips but the biggest difference between Pep and Arteta is Pep finds solution more quicker and is not afraid to make big changes. As you said yesterday bringing on Nwaneri didn't make the biggest difference but Arteta could have adapted Nwaneri in the PL game more before and had numerous chances but he opted to be conservative. The Nwaneri should start claim is not just because he is young and from Hale End that he should start. He was one of the brightest player when brought on. Yamal or Fabregas were all regular starters in Nwaneri's age and it was because they deserved to do so and were better than other 1st team players. Same goes for Ethan. Secondly, Martinelli and Trossard position in the squad needs to be reassessed. They are good players but does not have the high standards needed in big games and are inconsistent when started. They should not be regarded untouchable nor NFS. If an good offer arrives for them next summer, we should consider selling either one of them and benching one after signing a proper LW. There are very good LW out on the market(Marmoush, Kvaratskhelia or Leao,Gordon) who are way better than both Martinelli or Trossard. If, and it's a big if, we are out of trophies this season, will it have some impact on the future of Arteta? Certainly, player who signed on a 4yr deal such as Saliba or Saka will have 2yr remaining and will start to have numerous links to other clubs which pretty much reminds me of the days we had to sell Fabregas, Van Persie, Alexis Sanchez just because we were trophy-less back then.

[@johninglott9932]

A completely unacceptable performance

[@KyleGrindell]

Hi Charles. Love the content as always. I understand the fans saying we’ve had a really hard start to the season. Which we have, but. From the same fixtures last season we are actually 4 points down. +3 for Villa away, then -7 from Bournemouth, Liverpool and Brighton. So I agree it has been hard, and we have had injuries. But we need to start performing well soon. Once you do that the points will come. Other than the PSG game. We haven’t been at our best at all this season.

[@vetpara]

Hi Charles, Think you summarized it perfectly. Before the season started, given the fixtures... the job was always going to be to not be out of the race by the time we finish Chelsea. Pre-season if you offered me away games at Villa, Spurs, Man City, Bournemouth, Newcastle, Chelsea... then told me Odegaard will only be available for Villa, Merino injured for the first x3 and added injuries to Timber/White/Calafiori throughout... I would have settled for draws first x3, win at Bournemouth and 4pts from the last x2 (10pts total). We've managed 7pts with one game left. Not a disaster given the context and same amount as last year so far. But totally agree, the formation change worked after the first international break... it's not worked after the 2nd one. We are playing with the handbrake on, Havertz is too far from goal and we are conceding more goals than we have been. Need a result at Chelsea and need Odegaard back after the next intl break.

[@chrispeterson66]

Definitely not joining the Arteta out crew, but it is on the manager to show he can manage his way out of this. No guarantees that Odegaard gets up to speed quickly or comes in without setbacks. Edu, Arteta et al chose not to recruit another creative player. If they can’t show they can cope without Odegaard, they deserve the brunt of the criticism.

[@gordonpatterson8615]

To be honest Charles, this was the type of performance I was expecting to creep in when Odegaard first got injured. We’ve done reasonably well up to last weekend but still not firing at their best. Martin will be back soon thankfully, he just makes the team tick but we need a plan B for these occasions. We allow ourselves to get bullied, 2nd best to every 50-50. City have also lost today so it just shows that anyone can lose a game in this league if not at their best.

[@chosenone9589]

We have to talk about rice at 6, he offers nothing going forward or in the build up. Partey was the engine in all our other games but now we have him at right back. All the people saying Rice-merino-ode is our best midfield have no clue. Going forward Mikel needs to be tough and put partey at 6, merino and trossard.

[@malvinchadzamira7197]

Rice is useless this is a fact pains me to say it. Not worthy to even shine Viera’s boots.

[@Kovacs901]

Merino-Partey-Odegaard is our best midfield

[@wayneford1981]

The honeymoon is over for Arteta.He has to win something this season.

[@malvinchadzamira7197]

He will win nothing Arterta l am more than convinced now, we can make all the excuses we want.

[@ThePundit99]

For once, i cannot understand what Arteta' s game plan is. We are not attacking, we are not defending. We just wait to be scored then we try something randomly.

[@SG-ib1en]

Nwaneri is the planned team cover for Odegaard as was determined from the summer transfer window but Arteta is too chicken to use his best available player for that position. Just like Sterling is better than Martinelli but somehow not getting the nod 💁🏼‍♂️

[@tasrifm208]

We lost this match at the previous transfer window when the club didn't listen to those experts saying we need more attacking personnel.

[@mgsee]

Tedious and predictable performance. Ödegaard out and we fall apart. The same with Saka. How has the manager allowed the team to become so reliant on 2 players?

[@Letmethinkformyself]

I am not watching anymore Arsenal games until Odegaard comes back. If there is to be any transfer business in January it has to be a CAM. Just scout somebody creative....I don't care about the result but man it has been hard to watch our games. Once again no Odegaard no interest.

[@mrobolance143]

The craziest thing I find is that when Calafiori plays he’s the most advancing player of Partey, rice and Merino. And he’s a defender

[@AlevelChemistrymadeeasy-q9j]

I am not convinced Odegard would make much difference in this game as we always have problems with any type of block.

[@johnmcloughlin3397]

Looks like a cup year😮

[@K.Kabelo]

i feeling like Merino is being forced on us, at the cost of playing partey at left back and having no creativity in the midfield.

[@jermainepostlethwaite7895]

Think about our transfer relationship with Chelsea over the years......

[@SG-ib1en]

Sterling should be starting ahead of Martinelli....

[@coolsergio72]

What is happening to us? This is the same Arsenal that travelled to Etihad, leading 2-1 at the break But our 2 last away games have been awful!

[@bryankennedy8936]

Hi Charles, like everyone I’m very disappointed with yesterday. We were second best all over the pitch. I see a lot online calling for Arteta head. Now is not the time for all that rubbish ! This reminds me of how I felt after Fulham away last season down in the dumps. But just look at the run we went on after that ! We as fans need to do our bit and get behind Arteta and the team ! They have giving us so many great days now. We go by game and see where we end up ! They’ll be a lot more better days ahead ! Keep the faith ! I think we can still win this league !

[@andy_ppp]

I can actually accept us playing badly and losing a lot more than the 6-8 points refereeing has cost us this season. I noticed Newcastle delay the restart a couple of times without being carded. Having said that I thought the refereeing was perfectly good, we can have no complaints.

[@AdamPort41]

Hi Charles, thanks for the content. Straight after a game like that I don’t even want to think about football, let alone talk about it How has the city loss framed your feelings on the Newcastle game? It’s obviously the preferred result but it’s made me even more frustrated about what would’ve been a rare opportunity to close the gap

[@snowymatrix]

It's time for you people that have access to Arteta to start putting in some proper questions to him it's all been too nice, kind and happy clapping. It's up to you now don't just ask the question on KZbin put it to Arteta and let's get some answers 👍🍺

[@mattrose3070]

That is the league over and done with for us

[@jonnyteejonnytee889]

I'm surprised people just realized Trossard shouldn't be starting. Not long ago clamoured that he should be starting cos he scored goals. At best, he's an impact player, very inconsistent, and most times he lacks composure in key moments. In absence of Odegard, Merino should be playing that right midfield role but in a different way. It doesn't have to be a combination with Saka like Odegard plays it, so Havertz can play as a striker but not drifting sideways. I expected Sterling to come in the second half and play close to Saka to cause confusion on that right side, but Arteta is just too rigid to play one way even if it's obviously not working. There are times you need to mix things up and surprise your opponent.

[@Cheeyne2]

Arteta has missed his opportunity to have Nwaneri make a big impact in Ødegaard’s absence. Arteta was only brave enough to start him against Bolton and Preston, which were good performances, but it doesn’t mean he was ready to be the ‘game-changer’ against Newcastle. Trailing 1-0, away from home, to a physical side with a vocal fan base, is the wrong time to give a young player their early experiences of the PL. Nwaneri should have gotten a start against Leicester, Southampton or Bournemouth, and a proper 45 minute sub appearance.

[@livelearnandteach7402]

I don't like Party at rightback. I dont like Trossard starting and generally I didn't like anything about today's game. PS. Small point but TNT Sports never mentioned Pope's clear time wasting once they scored. Every goalkick or free kick took an age. Did anyone else notice?

[@mfshill]

A team with no ideas or creativity, they looked totally lost today. The complete lack of attacking imagination without Martin is a big worry, we need him back asap!

[@abebegirmay3327]

The problem is Arteta uses the same lineup, the same players and the same tactics, which makes him easily predictable. He needs to twick his tactic, see Arne Slott attacking line up is different, sometimes he uses Jota, another day Nunez, then Gakpo and Diaz, etc. Arteta has top tallent Nwaneri and he was on form but he didn't use him. Even if Sterling and G.Jesus are not best players but he needs to use them sometimes to make different tactic and lineup, if not any team can predict the team. In addition to that Arsenal are always sitting back whether they score goal or conceed goal, exactly what Roy kean said last weekend after Liverpool game, Arsenal leading 2-1 playing at home with a lot of fan supporting, instead of attacking more they rather seat back and defend. Now I have concluded that Arteta best thing he can do is what he did the last two seasons, very close to win the title and that is where he can bring the team, if they want to win premier league they need to bring experienced coach. Arteta lacks experience as winner, he is not bad coach but he lacks wining mentality experience and they need to find someone who can win title not someone who can finish second or third just win title.

[@philipnass6210]

I try not to get to high or low for sports anymore. I have a bit of a tendency to get way too emotional. Saying that this game ticked me off big time. No help for Saka no help for Gabi. Our better players were our reserves. We are woeful against most quick transitions. Never felt we were going to score even after going behind.

[@philipnass6210]

My player ratings GK 5 RB 6 CB 5 CB 5 LB 4 CDM 5 LCM 5 RCM 4 RW 5 LW 4 CF 4

[@dominionsilas2227]

Our best 6 is Partey, playing for a new contract. Removing him from the midfield was suicidal. The mid was dead. We have a natural RB in Nichols. Why have a youth system if you don't trust it? Still unconvinced by Merino at the 8, he'll need time. Our biggest problem remains the blunt attack. We have one good attacker, RW, Saka. No striker, poor LWs. Trossard is a sub, no more. In the absence of Ødergaard, our best CAM is Nwaneri. We all see it, MA is just too stubborn. I have given up on winning major silverware under MA. He doesn't have the tactical nous and in-game management of a champion. One shot on target in two games is woeful. Won't let Arsenal ruin my week. Hopefully we can win a cup and build on. KSE needs to invest in a proper CF and LW. Over £750M without buying a striker is absurd. Mikel is afraid of attackers. He ruined Auba and Lacca, Auba went on to be top scorer. He's only signed Jesus who has publicly said scoring isn't his forte, William who was abysmal, Marquinhos and Vieira who flopped and Trossard who isn't a starter. Mikel doesn't know how to click attackers. Only Ødergaard has worked and I'd say due to his innate quality. Eventually, Saka and Saliba will be looking around them and wondering what other quality is at the club and move on to where they can win trophies.

[@JarrahAlmutairi-z3u]

Sterling wasnt going to add anything yesterday since newcastle was defending with 11 players inside the box. We missed Odegaard, vieira and smith rowe. No overlapping Fullback didnt help Saka either. It should have been Zini on the left and Timber overlapping Saka or Ben white could have made the difference. Too many players in midfield with no creativity showed how vulnerable we are going forward. The team that played yesterday is good if we wanted to keep a 1-0 win or if we were going to counterattack.

[@cameronernstzen8273]

Hi Charles, can you explain what the point of buying Merino was, he doesn’t offer anything different other than back and side passes? 40 odd mil for an aged midfielder looks like dreadful business. That’s my view right now, if you know or see something different Im very open to hearing it.

[@seanwhitelock77]

Did you say that last week?

[@SwiftGifts-ni6qz]

Bet you said this about Xhaka and Havertz too

[@TobiMesh]

You guys were the ones making nuanced arguments for why an Osimhen or Gyokeres wasn't more important than a L8 or a LB. And how Merino and Calafiori were going to somehow be the reason we win the league as opposed to one of the afore mentioned goal getters. As if having a Supreme goal scorer is now a luxury when chasing major trophies. We can't groan now. The league is over. Let's enjoy the rest of the season free of expectations.

[@sadgunner7798]

Charles we have been talking about how bad that tranfer windows was. Edu is on fraudulent alert.

[@rmoulster]

Had Declan scored, as he should have, i wouldn't have felt any different. It's probably the worst performance since WH in Dec '23. Really poor. Definitely not Arteta out (i mean, how ridiculous, the growth in squad from Emery is stark), but that was horrific.

[@d0nald156]

comming out second half and playing worse is so worrying

[@ThatGuyNorm]

It's not working. Our midfield is dreadful without Odegaard. Plus our BEST player is on the right abd yet all our attacks is down the left. I really like Arteta and I refuse to jump on the Arteta out bandwagon that seems to be growing in momentum each week. But he must answer for the lack of attacking options after letting so many attackers go. We are so light upfront and to make it worse Trossard, Jesus and now even Havartz are playing terrible!

[@mikeebryant6296]

Last season we scored the most goals in a season in Arsenal history. This season so far we are not tracking at the same pace but ultimately we've played some very tough opposition and done most of it without our captain and arguably (joint) best player. We are currently only two goals shy of Liverpool who are leading the league. These facts and figures don't exactly equate to us having attacking issues. Also, who was available in the summer that would have made the difference?

[@ThatGuyNorm]

@mikeebryant6296 I agree with everything you said except the summer unavailability of players. We only tried to sign 1 striker.

[@elsh11]

What is with Arteta about Havertz,is there something on his contract saying he can't be subbed😭😭😭😭😭

[@BigTurki14]

I think the better question is subbed for who?

[@Kovacs901]

His backup Jesus has 1 goal in the last 12 months while being our 2nd highest player 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

[@oma_gooner]

Someone wrote this on Arsenal Twitter and thats exactly it - "I guarantee you we will get thrashed by Nottingham Forest! Sometimes football is simple, its about quick counters, direct plays, quick crosses, hard and fast hits, and Arsenal don't have a clue on how to do that! We are lethargic passing around don't know how to do any diff"!!!

[@PaulWard-xn5zg]

Dreadful performance and result… and we have been here several times before, most notably the away games at Villa and Newcastle last season when we also lost without looking like scoring. Look we aren’t going to win the league this season , that much is obvious but we need to arrest this decline very very quickly.

[@karheng83]

This team reminds me of Arteta's early years when players didn't quite understand how to pull off Arteta's vision, constantly pulling off that U shape passing not knowing how to strike thro the middle. Perhaps he has to quickly plan a completely diff strategy and not be too predictable with the formation. Agree our players need to go to Dubai and reset!

[@osiriskid77777]

This team is so devoid of creative players and that’s a recruitment issue.

[@NickBramwell]

Odegard is a Worldie. It is difficult. We will bounceback. Butler Odeji has had a good game, so did Heaven. The FA cup will be interesting, I wonder if more academy breakthroughs will occur in the new year, I think Rosiak, Odeji and heaven deserve some game time. All teams hit a difficult point in a season, this is ours.

[@Jordo125]

Mikel is the one making these decisions with starting 11 and how we play and he doesn’t seem to go with what works he would rather do something else that he hopes works. Title is done for this season it was always a worry at the start of the season when we let all our 10s go leaving Ø no cover and then not bringing in another creative player has messed us up. We have been very unfortunate in the full back position because we are very well covered but injuries have stunted the blossoming of richy at lb. We needed an attacker in the summer and that was evident if not 1 but 2. Need to finish strong otherwise no one will want to join us outside the top 4. This is all on Mike as well, give him next season then if he stays the same in not being able to adapt and do what best for the team then he has to go. Martinelli is a worry also and if he can’t get some form we are going to have to address the lw position in January as that side is killing us,trossard needs to be sent to the reserves as well.

[@Jordo125]

Rice at 6 isn’t great as we saw today, when Partey went 6 and Rice went 8 he then drove up the pitch and created a chance but his form is worrying.

[@SisekoIzwelethu]

Wonder who played midfield to be passing sideways, any ideas? Today had nothing to do with tactics but rather the team attitudes of our players and mindset. The amount of arsenal fans going back and forth in just a space 3 days is just crazy to behold,its as if everyone knew we were going to loose todays contest judging by the comments. All of a sudden Arteta is a villain, gotta love football though.

[@tosinadefemi1258]

I’m finding it hard to forgive Odegaard for going to international duties nursing an injury.

[@sihlejali8453]

The fact that he played 3 holding midfielders in an 11 tells you everything you need to know about the transfer window we had , embarrassing, title race gone !

[@MccormickAFC]

Im not sure why we dont see Jorginho and rice more, they had a good partnership last season when they played together. The arteta out people are off their heads

[@Dremmyofficial]

Ben gets an assist, gets rested vs Preston and then rewarded with a place on the bench 🧐

[@Amesy20]

So very very disappointing. Time to trust a 17 year old. Listening to an interesting interview from a journalist who is very knowledgeable on Nwaneri from kid to seniors said that a reluctance from Arteta was probably due to the fact that Ødegaard has assisted the young man during his cameo appearances and there was apparently worry on his defensive side and understanding. He will mature and I personally believe it’s time to start him in the league he can’t do any worse.

[@naseibonsu8120]

🔴 I like Rice but he is not a 6! He offers nothing in our build up play. Slow, robotic, static. Side ways passes, no zip in the pass. Merino and Rice is not a good midfield partnership. Merino is basic! Partey HAS to play in the midfield! He is key to the way we play! I also think Zinchenko and jorginho need to be used more. They are also key in how we build up. Arteta has stripped our creative build up play in place of defensive stability and that has impacted the way we play and attack! Trossard needs to be benched, poor again and offers nothing playing in the pockets. Ethan has to start next game. 🔴

[@AnuraUkulele]

Time to focus on the other trophies up for grabs - League Cup, FA Cup (maybe CL too?) as the Premier League is out of reach already. But unless performances from individuals and team energy lift a lot we will end up with nothing, and will enter the last matches of the seaon praying for miracles to make the top 4.

[@jabuphiri7209]

We have ZERO elite game breakers, we used to have Alexis or RVP whereby in a game like today where we’re extremely poor they’re able to drag the team alone and score individual goals!

[@KCLundy007]

At what point do we start demanding Arteta wins a trophy or he gets sacked? Injuries are not an excuse (City as an example). After the money we’ve spent and the players we have he needs to win something or go

[@sjchan3199]

Shocking and artetas got to find the answers but putting rice trossie and gabby up front doesnt work. He needs to get this team going its his team and its on his head. I think cos of the previous ref antics has drained our confidence.

[@sanga3674]

Dont wanna hear,Odegaard absence as an excuse,the dropped off shouldnt be this big for a team challenging the title.

[@mwalimuwenyu7809]

Partey has to start. I know fans love Rice “hard working” style but he is not a connector on the level needed. Partey has to start in the middle with Rice or Morino on the left. It’s just not working. Nwaneri has to start as the right side 8 because Trossad is just not working out, he rushes things. Glad City lost too.

[@kingGa33]

Charles, is Arsenal, a team that is trite, or are we witnessing a temporary setback? Arsenal's performance at Newcastle was marred by Areta's insistence on Merino and Rice in the midfield, a choice that left the team lacking a creative player to break the lines. This was a recurring issue, seen at Bournemouth and again at Newcastle. The team's performance was not up to par, and it's a cause for concern that we might not clinch the Premier league this season. It's a fear that's starting to feel all too real.

[@htravels808]

Title hope is gone

[@amandahargood1565]

I guess the only thing on our side is that we have played tough away games and these teams have to come to us now! Only away to Liverpool and United in the second of the season!

[@ZPSBestProfileName]

Worst performance since Fulham last season. We had no ideas out there. Trossard was awful and I am shocked he was not the one replaced by Nwaneri. The one silver lining is City losing, but unfortunately, with Liverpool winning we are 7 points behind them and we have to go to Anfield. If City and Liverpool win next weekend, and we don't, I think our title race is probably over.

[@Steve-uf8pk]

I can live with that, Arsenal were awful, we have become to cagey and defensive since Merino has become fit. Surly it’s either Rice or Merino but not both………

[@chasf3433]

Maybe yesterday was a good illustration of an overcoached team, the players getting lost when the game nit going as trained for. Yes Arsenal miss Odegaard but he had a history of going missing in these physical away games. Rice is looking more and more worn out and without his energy he does not offer much.

[@adelusimayowa3011]

If MA keeps playing his best midfielders in partey out of position in RB when you have white fit, probably to justify his acquisition of Merino or for whatever reason beyond me,the result will always be like this most time. Last season,it was kai in midfield that caused the initial struggle for the team until the false 9 agenda clicked in. Now it's Merino project and it's causing the team badly. Noone should be surprised with trio of Rice, Merino amd MØ(when fit) while Rice is match fit.

[@Gunnercoops]

Trossard rarely started when he was scoring regularly and playing well, he now starts every match when he’s stopped scoring and playing poorly, can someone please explain??

[@Nostradanus86]

Conclusion : DUBAI But a pre conclusion is to give Sterling & Nwaneri legitimate sensible minutes until January atleast.

[@dereksymes9090]

We just don't do well at early games. Sloppy just didn't turn up. Lack luster

[@bob_bobsen]

Really not sure you said we needed an odegaard backup. I don’t remember anyone saying it. Everyone was talking left 8, winger & striker.

[@davidtaylor5134]

The Newcastle was a turgid game of football, but let's not get too carried away. Newcastle are the best in the division (statistically) in holding on to a lead once going in front. We went down early to a fantastic goal involving two of the best players at what they do. Then Newcastle killed the game. We're not creating as much as we would want, and I do think the Trossard/Havertz axis has run its course... but we haven't turned into a bad team overnight. Additionally, it's interesting how I've seen nothing about Newcastle's 'Dark Arts' from the media today. They are bloody awful for it. Joelinton and Bruno are two of the biggest s**t-houses in the Premier League (albeit very good players as well). The mainstream media haven't noticed yet, apparently!

[@danielpuleo6864]

Odegard Is a wonderful player, but you cannot be champions if you have this kind of a drop when one player gets injured.

[@Karl-p6h]

All Arteta has done since Odegaard got injured is play non negotiable negative football. Sack him he’s had long enough.

[@devannaicker9537]

You've got to harness the positive. Newcastle clearly showed Arteta how to manage a 1 goal lead and win a game. Good lesson, correct?!

[@AM-ok4mu]

I don’t want to trivialize anyone’s opinions or feelings with this comment….because we are all extremely disappointed. But in regards to the new signings this season, please keep in mind how long it took Havertz to really plug in and play well. Now as far as whether or not these were the right positions to reinforce at the expense of attacking options….that’s on Mikel and Edu however this season turns out.

[@malvinchadzamira7197]

Charles saying he did not think Arsenal were dreadful in the first half pretty sums him up for me as clueless. He went on an on about Charlie Patino as if he was some wonder kid only for him to turn up as a flop.

[@M1gs]

He should stick to reporting and let the manager do the tactics and team selection.

[@charles9489]

He is just a PR merchant, does everything in his power to make things look good. Remember how he grovelled at Arteta's feet when Kai turned it around and rubbishing any criticism of Kai's form early in the season. Now he is talking about Odegaard, yet City are without De bruyne and Rodri for long spells and still churn out top tier performances(despite losing today). If a title contending team loses one player and falls off, well they don't deserve to win the title.

[@coolsergio72]

​@charles9489 City lost today and were lucky to beat Wolves Brentford and Crystal Palace, and to take a point against us.

[@japihamakowa1416]

I'm pretty sure he said they were dreadful (it's in the title) and it looked like they started well enough for the first 10 mins

[@charles9489]

@@coolsergio72 u realize city are the 4 time defending champions right. Their struggles are minor compared to ours, they can go on a 20 game winning streak to win the title, if need be.

[@ThePundit99]

ARTETA is complicating football too much. Bournemouth have beaten Arsenal and City by playing BASIC FOOTBALL.

[@franknitty3000]

Newcastle were just better. Eddie Howe set them up nicely in midfield and Arteta didn’t have an answer. He found it eventually in the 2nd half of the 2nd half but thats too late. He should have had the balls to change everything at half time because it was just aweful. After this game he has a real chance at losing the squad. Arsenal as a club have the tendecy to lose urgency after a few decent results. That is a club culture problem. I think once you s tart to dislodge Martinelli. Then Jesus and Zinchenko leave. You will start to see cracks appear in Arteta’s “process”. But i hope im wrong. First half against Liverpool was very good. Hope we can get to that level and beat them at Anfield. Then who knows..

[@israelorun]

Arsenal seem to be a one man team, without Odegard they are flat. No creativity!!

[@mariomora8685]

forget PL title! Top 4 is the priority now.

[@adebiyiajayi5629]

Injuries? Yes, but arteta can't keep protecting players, merino is obviously struggling and he shouldn't be starting, we need partey and nwaneri in midfield, drop trossard, try something different. He reminds me of stubborn Wenger, sometimes they just take too long accepting what they planned isn't working and arteta is a little like that, too stubborn to change when you need to.

[@tdtm82]

One of the worst performances in a LONG time. Utterly run-out-of-answers. I'm really aghast. Just not the Arsenal we expect.

[@innercircle341]

5 years, 800m and this is what we get? We might go another 20 years easily without a title. Poor in every aspect Declan Rice £100m? We had our pants pulled down