The former Manchester United defender highlighted a growing tactical concern for Mikel Arteta, noting that the balance between Zubimendi, Declan Rice, and Martin Odegaard appeared off. Neville observed that the trio seemed to occupy the same spaces, leading to a lack of fluidity that allowed the visitors to enjoy more of the ball than their hosts. Indeed, the Magpies ended the game with 55 per cent possession, a statistic that left the pundit surprised.
"Odegaard went deeper [today], but the problem is when Odegaard goes deeper, Rice then goes deeper and Zubimendi is already deep," Neville explained. "Then you've got three players, or certainly two in deep areas. You can't have that. You want them to be rotating with each other, and you want one back there to link play with the defence and the full-backs. It felt to me today that Zubimendi, Rice and Odegaard got outplayed by that Newcastle midfield."