Arsenal player ratings vs Newcastle: Anonymous Kai Havertz struggles, Mikel Merino hauled off | OneFootball

The forward went missing as the Gunners struggled to threatened the Magpies

Arsenal suffered a damaging defeat in the Premier League as they lost 1-0 at Newcastle.

The Gunners failed to produce their free-flowing football of recent weeks, going down to Alexander Isak’s early headed goal at St James’ Park.

Mikel Arteta used all five of his allotted substitutions, but nothing served to push the hosts off course, and Arsenal remain five points off league leaders Manchester City.

Dom Smith was at St James' Park to rate the Arsenal players' performances…

David Raya 6

Got nowhere near to Isak’s opener, but prevented Newcastle from taking a 2-0 lead straight after half-time with a stop from Joe Willock and then later from Isak too.

Thomas Partey 7

Did well at right-back in Ben White’s place, coming into midfield in possession and defending against Joelinton well.

William Saliba 5

Given a pretty tough afternoon by Willock and Isak in particular. Often two steps behind them.

Gabriel 5

A boost for Arsenal that he was passed fit to play, but he has looked overall much more assured this season than Newcastle allowed for at St James’ Park.

Jurrien Timber 5

Anthony Gordon burst straight past the Dutchman on numerous occasions. But when the ball was at his feet he tended to distribute it well.

Declan Rice 5

Plenty of running from the Englishman, but his set-piece deliveries let him down. Missed a huge headed chance late on.

Mikel Merino 4

A very disappointing display from the Spaniard against his former club. Hauled off after 61 minutes with the game having often bypassed him.

Gabriel Martinelli 5

Didn’t have anything like the impact he would have wanted. Brought off on the hour mark.

Bukayo Saka 5

An off day for the Arsenal captain just as for all of his team-mates. Placed one header wide, made a couple of decent clearances, but achieved very little else.

Leandro Trossard 6

Took Arsenal’s first shot of the afternoon (it went wide) and the most lively member of their attack. That isn’t saying much.

Kai Havertz 5

A pretty anonymous display from the German besides one nice cross into Saka in the first half.

Subs:

Ethan Nwaneri (Martinelli, 61’) 5

A quiet display from the 17-year-old.

Oleksandr Zinchenko (Merino, 61’) 6

Slotted in well at left-back.

Ben White (Timber, 71’) 5

A few off-the-ball tussles with Joelinton, but rarely saw himself in possession.

Gabriel Jesus (Trossard, 71’) 5

Played out on the left and tried to make things happen.

Jorginho (Partey, 86’) N/A

Not used: Neto, Kiwior, Sterling, Lewis-Skelly