Newcastle 1 Arsenal 2 – Match ratings and comments on all Newcastle United players | OneFootball

We asked Davey Hat-Trick to give us his match ratings and player comments after Newcastle 1 Arsenal 2.

Football can be a cruel game, and this was the cruelest of games.

To lose in the 96th minute after such a committed performance was gutting. It’s a long time since I left SJP feeling so despondent. I can’t even bring myself to watch the highlights.

In truth, Arsenal probably deserved the win – I felt they had a little more quality than us, and were knocking on our door throughout the second half. It felt like an equaliser was inevitable but their winner really rubbed salt into the wound.

Newcastle were not at their best, in my opinion. I have no issues with anyone’s work rate but we just didn’t seem to click as well as we can.

I felt 1-0 was never going to be a big enough lead and so it proved to be.

I hope the lads can pick themselves up for the upcoming games and let’s hope Lewis Hall is feeling fit. Losing Livramento put the cap on a miserable afternoon.

A word about the ref / linesmen / VAR, and that word is *!@&%$!!

Nick Pope 8

Hard to score our keeper.

He made several outstanding saves in the first half; but for him we would have been trailing at half-time. He was also lucky (I felt) that VAR deemed him innocent when he challenged Gyokeres in the box. He seemed to get jittery in the second half. He kept conceding possession to Arsenal with his shoddy distribution, then flapped at the cross for their second goal

Tino Livramento 7

He’s becoming one of our best players.

Worked hard yesterday, had some success, and made very few mistakes.

But to see him stretchered off in obvious discomfort was heartbreaking. Get well soon, Tino – we need you.

Malick Thiaw 8

This fella could prove to be a top signing.

Very composed, great on the ball, and quick. I thought he played well.

Sven Botman 7

Cleared, fought, blocked like a hero, but seemed to lose his concentration near the end.

Could have done better for Merino’s goal.

Dan Burn 7

Did better against Saka than I thought he would and was bold in attack.

Had the ref and his gormless assistants not chosen to ignore the constant shirt-pulling he suffered at our set-pieces, we may have got more out of the game.

Another one who seemed to lose concentration near the end. I felt he could have done better for Arsenal’s winner.

Bruno Guimaraes 6

I felt we lost the game in midfield, not through lack of effort, but because we weren’t quite sharp enough, and never really established a rhythm.

Bruno was a case in point – he never really got going.

Sandro Tonali 7

The best of the Newcastle midfielders, I thought.

Exerted a bit more control and put a few good crosses into the box. One of them provided the excellent assist for our goal.

Joelinton 6

He didn’t play like Joelinton.

Not as physical as we like him to be, and in truth, wasn’t in the game a lot

Jacob Murphy 5

Murphy hardly saw the ball. I’m not sure whether that was down to him, Arsenal or his team mates, but he was isolated for long periods.

Nick Woltemade 8

One of the positives in this game.

Already a black and white cult hero, he could become a full-on hero once he integrates completely with his colleagues.

Some lovely touches – he has great skill – and another lovely goal from someone allegedly poor in the air.

He needs to learn to roll around like he’s been shot, so that next time Gabriel chins him off the ball VAR may be forced to act.

Anthony Gordon 5

Gordon hasn’t been at it for a while now.

I don’t know if opposition teams have figured him out or whether he’s lost a bit of confidence, but he barely troubled Arsenal.

He was looking for fouls that no ref in his right mind would give and some of his passing was very poor. He can do much better than this.

Will Osula 6

Did OK, in my opinion.

Put himself about, chased, pressed, and provided an outlet when we were under the cosh.

Kieran Trippier 5

Did his usual reliable job – nothing special, but did OK.

Anthony Elanga 6

A couple of promising runs, although I felt we didn’t utilise him enough.

A couple of quick long balls in behind the Arsenal defence would have helped our cause.

Played the ball off Gabriel’s upraised arm. For those unfamiliar with rules of football, the official ruling is: “No penalty if it’s a cartel arm. Stonewall pen if it’s anyone else.

Jamaal Lascelles 5

On for the injured Tino.

Never easy to come on in defence when the opposition are laying siege to your goal but I thought he acquitted himself quite well.

Harvey Barnes N/A (Not on long enough to rate)

The briefest of cameos. One strong run into enemy territory but that was it.

Newcastle 1 Arsenal 2 – Sunday 28 September 2025 4.30pm

Goals:

Newcastle United:

Woltemade 34

Arsenal:

Merino 84, Gabriel 90+6

Possession was Newcastle 36% Arsenal 64%

Total shots were Newcastle 8 Arsenal 20

Shots on target were Newcastle 3 Arsenal 7

Corners were Newcastle 7 Arsenal 12

Touches in the box Newcastle 17 Arsenal 43

Newcastle team v Arsenal:

Pope, Livramento (Lascelles 77), Thiaw, Botman, Burn, Bruno, Joelinton (Barnes 94), Tonali, Gordon (Trippier 67), Woltemade (Osula 67), Murphy (Elanga 66)

Subs:

Ramsdale, Krafth, Willock, Miley

(Newcastle 1 Arsenal 2 – Instant Newcastle United fan/writer reaction – Read HERE)

Newcastle United fixtures (All of the Champions League matches will also be available to watch on TV in the UK):

Wednesday 1st October: Union SG vs Newcastle United (5.45pm)

Sunday 5 October– Newcastle v Forest (2pm) Sky Sports

Saturday 18 October – Brighton v Newcastle (3pm)

Tuesday 21st October: Newcastle United vs Benfica (8pm)

Saturday 25 October – Newcastle v Fulham (3pm)