3 Arsenal players who struggled vs Newcastle

It was very much a case of getting the job done on Saturday. A win was paramount and against a team scrapping at the bottom of the table it was unlikely to be pretty for Arsenal.

The first 45 minutes were some of the ugliest this season. Newcastle sat deep in their low block and played a physical game with their forwards, aiming to go long for Callum Wilson whenever there was a turnover in possession.

Despite Arsenal seeing the lion’s share of the ball, it was Aaron Ramsdale who was the busier of the two goalkeepers, tipping a fine effort from Jonjo Shelvey onto the bar and having to deal with a daisy cutter from the same opponent.

After the break the tempo of the team lifted, with more more zip to the passing and a greater sense of urgency from everyone.

3 Arsenal players who struggled to make an impact in the 2-0 Premier League win over Newcastle United on Saturday

The goal game via the left boot of Bukayo Saka and from there on there was little concern that three points wouldn’t be secured. Gabriel Martinelli wrapped them up with a wonderfully taken volley from Takehiro Tomiyasu’s path, who was one of the better performers on the day.

Two goals, three points and a clean sheet will do just nicely, setting Arsenal up for a weekend where their rivals may well drop some key points.

But not everything went swimmingly, and there were three players in particular who fell short of impacting the game that they would have liked to.

Improvements will be needed from the trio with a monstrous clash with Manchester United to come – should they play, that is – on what was an otherwise satisfying afternoon.

1. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

This season when Aubameyang has been starved of chances, or indeed any action at all, the saving grace has been the level of performance he’s produced in other facets.

His pressing is on a new level as he charges down the ball at almost every opportunity, with that work rate rubbing off on his teammates and earning special praise from his manager. There was more of that on show on Saturday, just precious little else. There is only so long he he can rely on work rate to spare him from criticism.

Someone who is lethal in the 18-yard box, his impact outside of there is minimal at best. Nonexistent, really. While he still harries, he offers little in build-up or combination play and Arsenal have to get him scoring again to give themselves a chance of securing European football this term.

Somehow hitting the post from two yards out with the goal gaping, after the break there were some chances that fell his way where you couldn’t help but feel a 29/30-year-old Aubameyang would have had no problem tucking them away.

That’s now four Premier League games without a goal for the captain, and just four in 12 appearances overall. Whatever he is contributing elsewhere with his running and harassing, there have to be some goals to show for it.

A strong season is dependent on Aubameyang hitting the back of net frequently. Even in games like the Newcastle one where he barely touches the ball, not converting the chances he gets is an issue that has to be rectified.

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