Newcastle were beaten 1-0 by Arsenal as they fell to a fourth successive Premier League defeat
Gary Neville
Gary Neville(Image: (Alex Livesey/Getty Images))
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As Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville previewed Newcastle United's trip to Arsenal his brutal dismissal of the threat the Magpies would pose to the Gunners' title chances should have hurt every single person connected to the club.
"What an opportunity for Arsenal," Neville began. "Newcastle - is there a more perfect team to play right now? No excuses. They can't get into the Champions League or Europa League places, they can't go down, they are a team that look a little bit disinterested which is sad for Newcastle fans when you think of the last few years that they have had. Honestly, I think Arsenal need to go and win here today comfortably."
Disinterested is a term you could never have associated with this Newcastle team over 95% of Eddie Howe's tenure but anybody who watched their dismal display against Bournemouth last week would have sat there begrudgingly nodding along to every word.
If United's players were watching on their journey into the Emirates Stadium, they hopefully took it as a personal affront to their professionalism. If they did, it seemed to light a fire in them in the early exchanges at the Emirates Stadium.
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Within 30 seconds, Joe Willock was driving at the Gunners' backline with intent and a point to prove. He expertly slid Will Osula in on goal but inexplicably his left foot connected with the air rather than the ball and a huge chance had passed Newcastle by.
Minutes later, Bruno Guimaraes - starting his first game since the start of February through injury - blazed the ball over the crossbar from the edge of the penalty area.
Newcastle had flown out of the traps and looked a totally different outfit to the side who had been so flat in defeats to Crystal Palace and Bournemouth in the last fortnight.
Eddie Howe had lamented the fact that training performances in to the build-up to those two matches had pleased him before the performance on matchday fell below the levels he had seen all week.
He could have no such complaints in North London but it is what made Eberechi Eze's sweet strike in the ninth minute all the more painful.
Newcastle didn't down tools, though, and were arguably the better team on the day. That would have offered Howe some heart, particularly in the face of pressure he has been facing and questions over whether his message is still landing with his players.
They rose to Neville's pre-match challenge, too. There could be no question of their endeavour at the Emirates Stadium, rather the difference in quality between the two sides.
Howe's side enjoyed more possession than the Premier League leaders and had more shots on goal than them. In fact, they had more shots on the Arsenal goal than any other visiting side in the league this term.
But it was the cutting edge they lacked. Just as Osula lacked the composure to give the Magpies a lead inside the first minute of the match, Yoane Wissa missed a golden opportunity to level it with 10 minutes remaining.
Newcastle United's William Osula (right) misses an opportunity against Arsenal
Newcastle United's William Osula (right) misses an opportunity against Arsenal
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Nick Woltemade's delicious ball over the top took out Arsenal's entire backline. Wissa ran on to it and looked certain to score before somehow blazing his volley over the bar from point blank range, rather than hitting the target.
It is an issue that has plagued Newcastle all season and it affected them again on Saturday. With four matches remaining, they are eight points clear of the relegation zone. While some are looking nervously over their shoulder, it would take some turn of events for Leeds, Nottingham Forest, West Ham and Tottenham to leapfrog them.
Howe will take heart from what he saw in North London but ultimately it was still a fourth successive Premier League defeat and a ninth loss in their last 12 league matches.
It is a record that is simply not good enough but there were some positive signs at the Emirates. The challenge now for Newcastle is to build on it next weekend against Brighton and try to turn a decent performance into a win.