Newcastle 1-0 Arsenal: Player ratings as Gunners beaten on Tyneside

Arsenal’s unbeaten start to the 2023/24 Premier League season is no more as they were beaten 1-0 by Newcastle at St. James’ Park.

The Gunners did a fine job of taking the sting out of the first half, with much of the half-time discourse surrounding potential red cards for Kai Havertz and Bruno Guimaraes.

The contest opened up somewhat at the start of the second half, but gilt-edge chances came few and far between. Newcastle broke brightly, while Declan Rice headed wide for the visitors.

A goal did arrive following a mess of a defensive sequence from the Gunners. Anthony Gordon poked home for the Magpies and his goal stood following the lengthiest of VAR checks.

From there, it was a slog for Arsenal with Newcastle’s defence dropping deeper and their backline growing in resilience. Mikel Arteta attempted to change tack, but the visitors failed to fashion an opening in the minutes that remained as the Magpies consigned the Gunners to their first Premier League defeat of the campaign.

Newcastle 1-o Arsenal player ratings

Here are the Arsenal player ratings from their defeat at Newcastle.

Goalkeeper & Defenders

David Raya (GK) – 5/10 – Wasn’t a particularly busy outing, but he certainly looked more comfortable with the ball. Questionable positioning for the goal.

Ben White (RB) – 4/10 – Rightly substituted following a display that was ridden with errors in possession. Does anyone know why he didn’t close down Joe Willock?

William Saliba (CB) – 8/10 – Saliba was excellent. There was only one sequence when he was pinned by Callum Wilson. The Frenchman was otherwise untroubled.

Gabriel (CB) – 6.5/10 – His work for Newcastle’s opener certainly wasn’t his best. Thought he was otherwise sturdy.

Takehiro Tomiyasu (LB) – 6.5/10 – Counter-pressed well when he dropped into midfield and largely kept Miguel Almiron in check before the Paraguayan’s withdrawal.

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