Arsenal Vs Newcastle United: 5 things we learned – Reaching the cliff

3. Players only part of problem

The two goals were dreadfully defended, not that that is especially surprising. The first goal came thanks to the sleepiness of Shkodran Mustafi, who was stood on his heels as Ayoze Perez nipped in in front of him to steer a lovely first-time finish past Petr Cech. The second came as a result of two wayward headers from first Mustafi and then Nacho Monreal, completely unhinging the shape of the team.

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In all honesty, none of Arsenal’s defenders played well. Even Granit Xhaka was numb to the danger for the second goal, and he actually had an average game — in this team, average is actually somewhat outstanding. And that is why I cannot accept that they are necessarily the problem.

Monreal, Mustafi, Chambers, Holding, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Kolasinac, Bellerin. All, at some point this season, have made fairly major errors that have led directly to goals or chances. And that does not even consider the myriad of goalkeepers and midfielders that have also contributed to the defensive disaster that is Arsenal football club.

There is no way that every single one of these players is solely responsible for their individual errors. There is a culture problem. It might be from Wenger. It might be from the character of the players. It might come from the acceptance of mediocrity. It might be the absence of leaders. It might be the unwillingness to challenge one another. Whatever it is, there is an underlying reason for Arsenal’s defensive ineptitude. The players should not be absolved of the blame, but they are only part of the problem.