Arsenal’s latest loss to Newcastle United suggests the Gunners may not be the formidable force they were last season, leaving fans and analysts wondering if they’ve taken a step back.
The long-term impact of this defeat in the Northeast remains uncertain, but it could prove costly for Mikel Arteta’s squad as they try to keep pace with Premier League leaders Manchester City.
Before Saturday’s game, Newcastle had already shown their strength in midweek by eliminating Chelsea from the Carabao Cup. This should have served as a warning to Arsenal of the challenging game they’d face, yet Arteta’s players didn’t seem to register the message. Much like Chelsea,
Arsenal struggled against Newcastle’s high energy and aggressive approach, controlling possession but without the conviction or threat needed to truly dominate the match.
Arsenal had a lift before kick-off when Gabriel was cleared to play alongside William Saliba in central defense after a minor knee injury. However, this defensive partnership still found itself unsettled by Newcastle’s attackers, including Anthony Gordon, Joelinton, and Alexander Isak.
These three were relentless, and their pressing and creativity gave Arsenal’s defense a rough afternoon. The only goal of the match came when Gordon delivered an inch-perfect cross into the box, finding Isak unmarked for a powerful header in the 12th minute.
For Arsenal’s coaching staff, the most troubling aspect was how much time they had to equalize without managing to break through. After conceding early, the Gunners were expected to press harder and create more goal-scoring opportunities. However, they showed a lack of creativity and finishing prowess, with promising chances left untaken.
Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka both missed good opportunities on either side of halftime, squandering their best shots at leveling the score. Arteta’s team seemed lethargic and uninspired, with halftime adjustments failing to spark the reaction he would have wanted.
Despite knowing a second loss this season was likely to happen at some point, Arteta is surely concerned by how his team was comprehensively outplayed.
As the match progressed, he made tactical changes, including substituting Mikel Merino in the 61st minute after Newcastle’s midfield successfully neutralized him throughout. Even though Arteta used all five substitutes, the adjustments had little impact on the game’s momentum.
This loss now leaves Arsenal five points adrift of Manchester City, who lead the Premier League and were due to face Bournemouth later the same day. Arsenal’s defeat also casts a shadow over their preparations for Wednesday’s crucial Champions League away fixture against Inter Milan.
Following that, they will face Chelsea next weekend, adding to their packed and challenging schedule. With key player Martin Odegaard still sidelined, his return can’t come soon enough as Arsenal looks for a much-needed creative spark.
Reflecting on the current season, it’s hard not to question whether Arsenal has regressed from last year. They narrowly missed out on the title by just two points to City in what was a highly competitive race.
This season, they were anticipated to challenge again, and for much of the early campaign, they appeared to be living up to that expectation.
However, this performance at Newcastle raises doubts about whether they can sustain their form and mount a serious title challenge once more. The lack of sharpness, urgency, and ingenuity in this display has undoubtedly sparked concerns over Arsenal’s ability to keep up in what promises to be another tough title race.
