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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2. Thomas Partey

Thomas Partey wasn’t dreadful by any means on Saturday. A bit like Arsenal in general, he did what he needed to do to help secure three points.

It wasn’t anything to shout about, though. The man alongside him, Sambi, ran the midfield and was laying off the sorts of passes you’d be expecting the Ghanaian to be making. His form feels a bit off since his injury, and for such a talisman player Arsenal need to see some more from him.

He had his moments, of course, with a few cute line-breaking passes into feet and some good recoveries of possession, but with Old Trafford looming there will need more bravery and dominance from the 28-year-old if he’s to take control of midfields like he has done in the past.

It may well be that Partey just did the job he was asked to. The way both teams set up meant that Sambi could afford to be more adventurous off the ball, sometimes covering the left-back space Nuno Tavares would free up, and when it came to breaking up Magpies attacks Partey did so effectively.

A lot will come down to expectation. Every misplaced pass from Partey is thrown under the microscope, but so it should be. He lost the ball 11 times on Saturday, didn’t make a tackle and won only two of his five ground duels. Those numbers require context, as he did his job enough, it’s just that supporters rightly want more.

Could it be that he hasn’t quite got up to speed since his injury? Perhaps. But for now there just isn’t enough of the command and sparkle from a player who can clearly produce it.

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3. Martin Odegaard

How’s your touch, lad? Based off of the opening 20 or so minutes, it’s pretty dreadful.

But that was to be expected.

Having not started a match since the 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace, it’s asking too much of Martin Odegaard to immediately get up to the speed of the league and beautifully cushion every pass into him.

He contributed to the rather turgid opening half an hour, taking time to find his feet and adjust to the rhythm, sometimes holding onto the ball for too long and other times rushing his decisions.

Growing into the game as it progressed, after the break he found more fluency and picked out a few neat passes through tight areas, as well as keeping Arsenal ticking over in central areas and in that right half-space he loves to drift into. It was more of what we expect of him.

What he needs is a consistent run in the team in that No. 10 slot. He’s popped up in deeper roles and as a left-sided No. 8, so this outing, while not him anywhere near his free-flowing best, should be the start of an extended run.

Struggling to truly impact the game as he did was down to a lack of sharpness, one he needs to regain with the fixtures coming up. Still only 22 years old, these small signs of rustiness will buff out.

This should be the start of regular outings. Arsenal need him firing on all cylinders.