Arsenal 1 Newcastle 0 – 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 Arsenal 1 Newcastle 0.

Urgh. In some ways this was identical to the Chelsea game; a good first half followed by a poor second, and our front three were similarly ineffective.

However, it was the opposite of the Chelsea game in that we didn’t score when we were on top, but our opponents did when they were dominating.

If you want to take positives from this match – and I think we can – we gave Arsenal a game, we showed we belong at the upper end of the Premier League, we didn’t fold when Arsenal scored, and it took a very good goal from a very good player to beat us. Also, their keeper was Player of the Match, and that tells its own story.

So it was a frustrating day for those who follow the Toon. We had Arsenal on the back foot for much of the first half, and spurned four or five decent opportunities to take the lead. I think if we’d done that, Arsenal would have become irritable, and I reckon we could have beaten them.

All eyes on next week now. Three points against Everton – by no means a foregone conclusion – and we are in the Champions League. We need one big, last push from everyone in black and white, and I’m including the fans in that. I’m confident we will do it.

As regards marks, I thought most of the players did OK, despite the result.

Nick Pope – 7

Made a couple of good saves and was confident in his distribution.

No blame can be ascribed to him for Arsenal’s goal

Jacob Murphy – 6

Not a natural wing back, but was dutiful in defence, galloped up the pitch a few times but couldn’t play a telling pass.

Fabian Schar – 7

Did well, I thought.

Didn’t make any errors I can remember and stood up well to the pressure.

Sven Botman – 7

Good to see him in the starting line-up and unsurprising to see him subbed off.

Another defender who did well, in my opinion. He’s tough and has some skills on the ball.

Dan Burn – 7

Same as above, really. I thought the back three all did OK.

Arsenal didn’t exactly pepper our goal and that was largely due to our defence showing discipline and concentration.

Tino Livramento – 8

Our best player from what I saw.

Defended well, looked dangerous in attack in the first half, but didn’t know what to do in front of goal.

A bit of confidence and composure, he’ll be world class.

Bruno Guimaraes – 7

It was always going to be difficult in midfield, purely because we were outnumbered three to two.

I thought Bruno did OK. A few good interceptions, some decent passes, but it was tough for him.

Sandro Tonali – 8

Vying with Tino for our Player of the Match, for me.

Battled hard and tried to be creative. If he plays like this against Everton, we’ll beat them.

Harvey Barnes – 5

Huffed and puffed, wasted one half-chance and one good one, and didn’t really make a difference.

Callum Wilson – 5

Pressed as well as he could and put in the required amount of effort.

But he looked sluggish, and dwelt on the ball in the box a couple of times, leading to instant dispossession.

Anthony Gordon – 4

Good and bad, mostly bad, I’m afraid.

Had a couple of runs at the Arsenal defence when we were on top, then faded badly.

Gave the ball away cheaply a few times (including in the lead-up to Arsenal’s goal) and was looking for fouls that were never going to be given.

Body language was poor too. A bad day at the office.

William Osula – 6

Tried his best, but the game had settled into a pattern by the time he came on, and he couldn’t do anything to change that.

Lewis Miley – 6

Nor could Lewis Miley but not for lack of effort.

Emil Krafth – 6

I thought he did OK when he came on.

Combative and one lung-busting run back to our box from theirs to prevent Arsenal from doubling their lead.

Joe Willock – 5

Very little impact, but he’s not fit, so that’s not a major criticism.

Arsenal 1 Newcastle 0 – Sunday 18 May 4.30pm

(Stats via BBC Sport)

Goals:

Newcastle United:

Arsenal:

Rice 55

Possession was Newcastle 48% Arsenal 52%

Total shots were Newcastle 14 Arsenal 12

Shots on target were Newcastle 5 Arsenal 4

Corners were Newcastle 7 Arsenal 10

Touches in the box Newcastle 33 Arsenal 33

Newcastle team v Arsenal:

Pope, Botman (Krafth 64), Schar, Burn, Livramento, Gordon, Tonali, Bruno, Barnes (Willock 76), Wilson (Osula 64), Murphy (Miley 63)

Unused Subs:

Dubravka, Lascelles, Longstaff, Neave, Ruddy

(3 Positives and 3 Negatives to take from Arsenal 1 Newcastle 0 – Read HERE)

(Arsenal 1 Newcastle 0 – Instant Newcastle United fan/writer reaction – Read HERE)