Newcastle Toons
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Looking back on Newcastle’s opening week loss to Arsenal

By Carson A Merk

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: Arsenal player Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang celebrates after scoring the winning goal during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Arsenal FC at St. James Park on August 11, 2019 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: Arsenal player Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang celebrates after scoring the winning goal during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Arsenal FC at St. James Park on August 11, 2019 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) /
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Newcastle United suffered a narrow defeat against Arsenal to start the season.

In the first match of the Steve Bruce-era, Newcastle United suffered a 1-0 defeat to Arsenal. Before the clubs meet again this weekend, we look back at that season-opening loss for the Magpies.

The Details

8/11/19 at St. James’ Park

The Lineups

Newcastle United

Dubravka

Manquillo/Schar/Lascelles/Dummett/Ritchie

Hayden/Shelvey/Longstaff

Almiron/Joelinton

Subs: Saint-Maximin/Willems

Arsenal

Leno

Maitland-Niles/Chambers/Sokratis/Monreal

Xhaka/Guendouzi

Mkhitaryan/Willock/Nelson

Aubameyang

Subs: Ceballos/Martinelli/Pepe

The Recap

In Newcastle United’s opening match of the season, they played hard, defended deep, and suffered a narrow defeat. A lot of the takeaways from this match turned into trends for this entire season. Obviously, the Magpies not carrying much possession at home has been a concerning trend. Joelinton had a few quality opportunities that he either rushed or couldn’t put on frame and we know that has continued throughout the year. Miguel Almiron and Allan Saint-Maximin provided quality dribbling, pace, but they couldn’t deliver in the final third. Sean Longstaff was not crisp in his passing. It was the first match of the season, but it certainly set the tone for a lot of this year’s frustrating results.

Next. Yedlin has struggled in recent matches for NUFC. dark

The lone goal of the day came on a lapse at each end of the pitch. First, Jetro Willems did not move towards a lazy pass out wide that was intercepted by Ainsley Maitland-Niles. The speedy right back dribbling down the wing until he crossed a ball into the completely unmarked Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The striker chipped the ball over Martin Dubravka for the match-winner. Speaking of Dubravka, he was not confident in his decision making on the day and was caught in between moves a few times.