Arsenal player ratings vs Newcastle: 2-0 defeat ends top four hopes

Midfielders

Mohamed Elneny (CM) – 3/10 – Tidy, but ineffective, often acting as a wall pass option and not much more.

This was a game where Partey’s carrying ability was sorely missed. Elneny did not impact the game enough, at either end. Refused to play the ball forwards.

Granit Xhaka (CM) – 4/10 – Wasn’t able to wrestle any control on this game with him sitting so deep when receiving, as Arsenal struggled to deal with Newcastle’s high press.

Had a couple of neat feints to evade pressure but was part of a midfield that got overrun throughout.

Martin Odegaard (AM) – 3/10 – Completed just five passes in the first half. Five.

Could not get into the game and we when doesn’t play well, or indeed touch the ball, invariably Arsenal don’t either. This was a game where Arsenal needed their big players, and Odegaard wasn’t there.

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