Arsenal suffered a damaging defeat at home to Newcastle United in the EFL Cup at the Emirates on Tuesday night, giving themselves a mountain to climb in the second leg at St. James’ Park in February.
Alexander Isak gave Newcastle the lead seven minutes before the break, latching onto Jacob Murphy’s turn inside the box, following a long ball from Martin Dubravka.
The Tynesiders doubled their lead shortly after half-time, with Anthony Gordon sweeping in from close range after David Raya had impressively kept out Murphy’s effort.
The result adds to growing discontent around Arsenal, who have now failed to win in two successive games for the first time since November.
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Five things you missed from Arsenal vs Newcastle United
While Arsenal’s inability to put the ball in the back of the net was obvious, there were several things you might have missed from the game.
Leandro Trossard deployed on the right
With Bukayo Saka ruled out for several months through injury, Arsenal have been searching for a makeshift replacement on the right-hand side of their attack.
Gabriel Martinelli and Ethan Nwaneri have filled this post before the game, but the former swapped with Leandro Trossard against the Magpies.
The Belgian attempted to replicate Saka’s game, but was largely left frustrated and nullified by Lewis Hall.
Kai Havertz finished the game on the right
Trossard wasn’t the only player Arteta trialled on the right-wing in this game.
After the former Brighton man was replaced by Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz moved from the number nine position to wide on the right, where he spent the majority of the final 30 minutes.
The German looked unnatural out on the flank, struggling to deal with passes into his stride on his weaker right foot. It would be no surprise if this is where Arteta’s experimentation with him in this role ends.
Dan Burn man-marked Gabriel on set-pieces
Gabriel Magalhaes is one of Arsenal’s biggest attacking threats, with his aerial prowess from set-pieces leading to four goals already this season, and thus Newcastle attempted to negate the Brazilian by pinning Dan Burn on him from all dead-ball situations.
Eddie Howe’s side were arguably successful with this tactic, with Gabriel only having one real sight of goal all game.
However, the Gunners created multiple chances from corners that fell to other players but were unable to convert these into goals.
Joe Willock clapped off by Arsenal fans
Leaving Arsenal for Newcastle in the summer of 2022, Joe Willock has established himself as a dependable squad member at St. James’ Park in recent seasons.
Bruno Guimaraes was suspended for the showdown in N5, meaning Willock was granted the opportunity by Howe to start against his former club.
Hooked in the 65th minute, the attending Arsenal faithful gave Willock a warm reception when his name was read out on the tannoy, despite the North Londoners being 2-0 down at the time.
Arsenal’s poor finishing
While the scoreline ultimately doesn’t look pretty for Arsenal, the outcome certainly could’ve been different.
Arteta’s outfit spent the majority of the game camped in Newcastle’s half, creating a hatful of good chances, taking 23 shots that they spurred with wasteful finishing.
Matheus Cunha is a target for Arsenal, along with Isak, and you can see why based on the lack of efficiency in front of goal coated in this performance.
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