Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe did not need reminding what the missing ingredient was during the painful 1-0 defeat at the Emirates Stadium.
Missed chances cost his side dear but all is not lost and Howe knew it as he sat and endured what had proved to be a miserable afternoon. He could have been boarding the bus with Champions League football assured and second place in the bag, instead it will be down to one more nervous weekend to discover the fate of what has been a remarkable season.
Howe told Chronicle Live: "We knew all about that (what was at stake) but you can't focus on that. You can label at us that we were not ruthless enough.
"The chances were there, but we did not take them. Sometimes that happens. But it wasn't for the want of trying. Everybody gave everything and we went to the end of the game, there was no inch given by us.
"There was no inch given and we were really strong mentally. It is not easy having to deal with [Alexander Isak's absence this morning,](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/unknown-newcastle-united-issue-scary-31670404) but there was no hangover from that for the players."
United will have no choice but to bring their shooting boots against Everton on Sunday though. Beat Everton and it's all fine, lose or draw and the door would be ajar to one of four or five rivals.
### The most ridiculous stat of the season?
[Nobody can argue with Newcastle's start to the game at the Emirates on Sunday.](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/anthony-gordon-apologises-newcastle-uniteds-31669081) They peppered the Arsenal goal and chalked up five shots on target in the first 17 minutes.
But then what happened? For some reason Newcastle dried up and did not manage to warm the hands of David Raya again.
No wonder there were some stern expressions as United left the field.
### The call for William Osula grows louder
If Isak does not make it for the crucial clash against Everton then Howe has a big decision to make on Callum Wilson or William Osula. There were loud cheers from the away end when the Danish youngster got his chance in the second half.
In fairness, Wilson was not presented with a decent chance and left the field without having a shot at goal. Osula must be close to a start in the Premier League, but Howe has been faithful to Wilson in recent times.
Whether it is a split-hair decision or not only Howe will know. Osula may have to stay patient, but lots of fans were discussing the prospects of him starting next Sunday if Isak is injured as they journeyed back from the Emirates Stadium on the tube on Sunday.