Arsenal: 4 negatives from 2-0 win over Newcastle

3. Do Arsenal Rely on the Crowd to Get Them Going?

With 15 minutes on the clock and not much going for Arsenal, if there was ever a game that felt like a midday kick-off on a Saturday, it was this one.

It’s the match where you might be feeling a bit worse for wear from the Friday before, Storm Arwen had hit London, and the weather was freezing cold and dribbling with rain. It’s not always the kick-off time where you’re bursting with energy and ready to sing your heart out.

A half-time Bovril is already on your mind.

All of those aspects coming together resulted in a rather flat atmosphere. Arteta was gesticulating to the crowd in an effort to pump up the noise levels, but the performance on the pitch wasn’t exactly inspiring.

Known this season for their electric starts in matches, Arsenal were anything but on this occasion. The ponderous build-up play failed to threaten and general energy levels were low. Is it that they need to crowd to push them up a level?

When Arsenal have been pulsating from the off they’ve had a vocal away following or a charged home support in the evening. It might be nothing and instead related to the Magpies’ setup and some form of Anfield hangover, but the team do need to raise their level even if the atmosphere isn’t at its best.

One to look out for.

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