Arsenal player ratings as 'non-existent' star and three others get 4/10 in Newcastle United defeat

Arsenal were beaten by Newcastle United on Saturday afternoon, suffering another setback to their Premier League title bid.

The Gunners were behind as early as the 12th minute when a fine cross found Alexander Isak unmarked in the box. The Sweden international had plenty still to do, and produced a quality header to put the Magpies ahead. Arsenal had a handful of chances to get back into the game, but largely from set-pieces, with the Gunners struggling to break down Newcastle in open play. The defeat means they are likely to slip further behind in the title race, but in the meantime, we have rated the players from the St James’ Park clash.

David Raya - 6

Nothing he could have done about the opener. Did his job elsewhere.

Jurrien Timber (Off at 71’) - 5

You could maybe make the argument he should have stopped the cross, but the cross came early and from near the sideline, so Timber rightly prioritises being beaten in that situation. He was brought off after a rash tackle, receiving a yellow card.

Gabriel Magalhaes - 5

More stray passes than we are used to seeing from him in the first half. Isak got behind him for the goal and managed to get a free header. Gabriel improved in the second half, but he will be disappointed with the overall sum of his display.

William Saliba - 7

Did what you would expect from him at the back, though it’s true Newcastle were less creative in the second half and made life for Arsenal’s back-line a little easier.

Thomas Partey (Off at 86’) - 4

A clumsy first-half that saw him commit a handful of fouls - he was lucky not to be booked in the first half. Got a better handle on the game in the second half, though Arsenal were largely in possession.

Declan Rice - 4

Struggled to get control of the midfield in the first half but grew into it. Came close with a fine individual effort just past the hour mark. Rice did have a few free-kicks that he would like to have back. There were two or three awful deliveries in positions Arsenal would have liked to have taken advantage of. Rice got a huge chance at the very end of the game, but he put the free header wide of the post.

Mikel Merino (Off at 60’) - 6

Unlucky not to score 25 minutes in when his close range effort was blocked on the line. One of the few players to find incisive passes and unfortunate to have been brought off.

Gabriel Martinelli (Off at 60’) - 4

Non-existent here other than trying to get out of some crowded situations. He was brought off on the hour mark.

Bukayo Saka - 4

One good cross in the first half but struggled to get on the ball, and even less so in space. Arteta will want more from his star players in tough games like this. The one moment of real quality Saka did provide came in stoppage time when he provided Rice with a perfect opportunity to score, but the midfielder missed the target.

Leandro Trossard (Off at 71’) - 5

Showed energy but not enough creativity. He did come close shortly before coming off, seeing his back post efforts blocked on the line.

Kai Havertz - 5

Isolated up top for the vast majority of the game, receiving little in the way of service. He remained patient, but very little came his way, and probably through no fault of his own, given Arteta will have instructed him not to come deep and look for the ball in midfield.

Substitutes

Ethan Nwaneri (On at 60’) - 6

Looked for the ball but very rarely got it due to a deep Newcastle block. Did get one shot off after showing quick feet on the edge of the box, but it sailed wide and high.

Oleksandr Zinchenko (On at 60’) - 6

Tough to judge given there wasn’t much defending to do late on.

Gabriel Jesus (On at 71’) - 6

Showed plenty of energy on and off the ball. A tough game to impact late on given how compact Newcastle were.

Ben White (On at 71’) - 6

The same as Zinchenko. He did his job, but there wasn’t too much to do at the back.

Jorginho (On at 86’) - 5

Instantly picked up a yellow card. Not much right or wrong aside from that.