Newcastle Toons
Fansided

Toon Takeaways from Newcastle United’s opening loss vs. Arsenal

By Carson A Merk

Miguel Almiron of Newcastle United F.C. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Miguel Almiron of Newcastle United F.C. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Newcastle United were burned by one poor moment of defending in their loss vs. Arsenal.

Just like much of last season under Rafa Benitez, Newcastle United sat back, defended, and tried to score on the counter-attack for new manager Steve Bruce. The Magpies did not play poorly, outside of a moment of dismal defending that allowed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to score the lone goal in a 1-0 Gunners’ win.

Top Toons

Miguel Almiron: With Newcastle United utilizing a counter-attacking style, Almiron was the action man, blazing down the wing and trying to press the Arsenal backline.

Isaac Hayden: He put in a workman’s shift today at St. James’ Park. Hayden did well to get forward and handled his defensive duties as usual.

Mediocre Magpies

Sean Longstaff: After a season-ending injury followed by a summer of speculation, Longstaff did not look crisp in the central midfield. He seemed to be tentative and a step slow to win the ball back. His passing was also not as accurate as we came to expect last season.

Martin Dubravka: I don’t think he was overly responsible for the goal, but he was caught in between decisions too many times. It could have been a lack of preseason action, but he will need to be more confident and decisive in goal.

Quick Kicks

  • Jetro Willems has to work his way back towards the ball on the buildup to the goal. He sat there and allowed Ainsley Maitland-Niles to cut in front of him and start the break. Also on that goal, it was a bold strategy to leave one of the co-Golden Boot winners unmarked in the area.
  • I’m not sure if Newcastle United connected on more than a couple of ground passes to Joelinton in the first half. There was obviously a feeling out process to know where the Brazilian forward wanted the ball played.
  • The record signing had some positive moments, especially his dribbling in tight space that earned him a shot in the second half. He should’ve been more clinical at that moment, but it was still a positive move. Joelinton also did well to track back and win the ball a few times. Working towards the midfield was the primary source of his second-half touches.
  • Almiron definitely deserved his yellow card for simulation. While he absolutely has a flair for the dramatics, he won’t want to establish himself as a diver because then he will start not getting the calls he deserves.
  • Speaking of Miggy, it’s special to hear the crowd begin to roar as he speeds up on a solo run.
  • Allan Saint-Maximin was as advertised in his debut. He blew beyond defenders with his dribbling ability and pace. I’m excited to see the attacking trio of Almiron, Joelinton, and ASM going forward.
  • I understand it was not Arsenal’s full first-choice lineup to start,  but Newcastle United did not look overmatched against a top-six side. A draw may have been the just result, but this was not a lopsided loss for the Magpies.

Next: NUFC summer transfer grades

What’s Next?

Newcastle United will travel to Carrow Road to face Norwich City on Saturday. The Canaries were rudely welcomed back to the top flight by Liverpool in a 4-1 defeat.