What went wrong in Newcastle United’s game against Arsenal?
By Cade Cracas
Newcastle United, unfortunately, received their fifth loss of the season at the hands of first-placed Arsenal this past Sunday in a 2-0 loss.
While the team has had very few hiccups in the win-loss column this season, the losses they do suffer feel like total destruction. Whether it was Liverpool twice this season, Manchester City or even Aston Villa, the opposing side felt like the better team.
So, what went wrong in the game this past Sunday that put just a two-point differential between Newcastle United and Manchester United for third place in the Premier League?
Well, physicality was a big difference between the two sides. Throughout the majority of the first half the game was won and lost throughout the midfield, and the Magpies simply were bullied. Midfielder Bruno Guimaraes could not get an ounce of space between him and an opposing Arsenal player as they swallowed him up at any given opportunity.
Newcastle had won eight of their last nine games and looked to be in top form. The only issue was, the team looked scared and flat-footed through the opening half.
The only goal scored through the opening 45 minutes came from Martin Odegaard who struck the ball with his left foot with ease, slicing past goalkeeper Nick Pope for the opening goal. His goal came from a lack of discipline in the midfield, as well as the fact he was left with too much space in front of him.
While physicality was a driving factor in the loss, the lack of offensive production also was a crucial blow to the success of the team.
In the second half saw Arsenal played very smartly, and did not allow the Magpies to make much movement offensively. Without the ball, they moved well, marked practically every area on the field and showed dedication to win the ball back when without it.
The offense produced a grand total of 12 shots, with five of them on target. The issue with those shots arose however as they were poorly taken. Outside of winger Jacob Murphy‘s strikes to open the first and second halves, the team showed very little composure to score.
While the team did have issues offensively, some of them did arise due to the impressive play of Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale. Ramsdale was lights out at times, making impressive plays on the ball.
“Fine margins for us today and we just came out on the wrong side of them,” Newcastle manager Eddie Howe said., “If Jacob’s [Murphy] chance goes in early on it is a totally different game.”
If Murphy’s goal would have gone in either time, it definitely would have been momentum-shifting for the team, but relying on little moments like that is what cost the team games throughout the opening of the spring. From February to March the team struggled with rhythm offensively, and after finding it, it seems like they may be on the brink of losing a bit of it again.
The team has suffered a loss just two times in their last 24 home Premier League games, and with two more home games left in the season, the Magpies are in a good spot to finish the season on a high note.
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