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Arsenal’s longest run in the Premier League has once again proven to be its most dispiriting. Two and a half years ago their challenge for a Champions League place ended against Newcastle at St James’ Park. Now a title challenge may have ended prematurely on Tyneside. Certainly, Arsenal have seven months to assess how damaging a third defeat in four visits will be.

With one point from a possible nine and a second successive away defeat, they stumbled when they needed to emerge. This time, the loss of points was not due to a loss of players. Arsenal finished with the full 11 but with just one shot on target. Nor could it be put down to refereeing, unlike last autumn’s loss to Newcastle. Instead, they failed and were uninspired, devoid of ideas and incisions. “We deserved to lose,” admitted Mikel Arteta. “It’s not about winning the title, it’s about being our best version every week.” This is not the case, leaving him speechless: “We’re going to have a hard time finding the words today. »

They also needed footballing eloquence. It appears Mikel Arteta’s game plan has been reduced to keeping a clean sheet and scoring with a moment of quality. Instead Newcastle did just that, with Alexander Isak’s opening goal coming from a pinpoint cross from Anthony Gordon. Just like Bournemouth, Arsenal failed to score.

They never even looked like one. They had a lot of possession but did too little. With Bukayo Saka shackled by the increasingly impressive Lewis Hall, Arsenal desperately missed the class of Martin Odegaard, the captain’s ability to catch a pass and unlock a defense. Léandro Trossard, so often a talisman, was completely ineffective. Arteta may regret not starting Ethan Nwaneri, instead sending a second-half SOS to the teenager. It was damning for Raheem Sterling that an unused substitute didn’t even get that.

Collectively, however, there was a feeling that Arteta had placed too much emphasis on acquiring a sturdy six-footer. Arsenal had physicality but they needed creativity. And they met their match in a Newcastle team fueled by running power.

Sandro Tonali’s style was sacrificed, Eddie Howe preferring the Stakhanovist industry of the unglamorous Sean Longstaff and Joe Willock as he filled his team with workhorses, Joelinton being co-opted into the front three; However, out of possession, Newcastle erected a row of five in midfield, daring Arsenal to pass through them. They couldn’t. “We were drawn into a game that they are constantly looking for,” Arteta admitted. “They’re really good at what they want to do.”

open image in gallery

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And Arsenal, their manager conceded, “lacked answers”. Declan Rice fired a shot past the post and headed in needlessly in injury time, but Newcastle had the height to defend their corners. Trossard was denied by Dan Burn, with a superbly timed challenge. Real chances were rare. The best may have fallen to Mikel Merino, but Hall made a potentially saving block with the number on his jersey. The left-back has proven to be a slow signing but, 14 months into his Newcastle career, he is starting to catch fire.

Newcastle too. It was a reminder of Howe’s ability to elicit a response from his team. Their ambitions seemed in danger of being dashed: by a run of five games without a win, securing just two points from a possible 15. Today, the mood has changed on Tyneside.

The Carabao Cup victory against Chelsea was followed by an even more significant victory. Newcastle had started in 12th place and played with a determination and organization to make a mockery of that. The roar at the final whistle indicated just how much the North East crowd relished their fighting skills.

open image in gallery

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It was a disjointed affair, defined as much by Newcastle’s fighting qualities as by a glorious goal. This was a byproduct of Howe’s team selection. Right wing has been United’s problem position this season, the area where they should have bought. Their two best wingers both prefer the left flank but, moving to the other side, Gordon has illustrated what he can offer there. A magnificent cross for the first time is captured by Isak, for this third goal in as many matches.

Arsenal’s relief that Gabriel Magalhaes had been declared fit gave way to disappointment at being edged out by the Swede. Gordon, on the other hand, was bubbly and excellent. A disproportionate number of the Englishman’s goals come against elite opposition. Once again, a big match brought out the best in him.

But not from Arsenal. No longer a guarantee of a clean sheet, they conceded a 10th goal in six league matches. No longer masters of efficiency, they now only have three victories in the last eight. And they may note that Liverpool and Man City both have excellent records at St James’ Park. This is the kind of test potential champions go through. Arsenal failed.