Awful Arsenal Performance: Player Ratings vs Newcastle
Ugh, where do I even begin? Arsenal's performance against Newcastle was simply abysmal. It felt like a complete and utter capitulation, and I'm still trying to process how a team that's been top of the league for so long could be so utterly lackluster.
The first half was a nightmare. Newcastle was all over us, and we just couldn't get going. The goals we conceded were just plain embarrassing, and it felt like every player on the pitch was lost. Even our usual stars were invisible. We needed a change at halftime, and thank goodness Arteta made some subs.
Player Ratings:
Goalkeepers:
- Ramsdale: 4/10 – Couldn't do much about the goals, but just looked uninspired.
Defenders:
- White: 3/10 – A complete disaster. Lost his man multiple times and was constantly caught out of position.
- Saliba: 5/10 – Looked a little better, but still not his usual dominant self.
- Gabriel: 4/10 – Had a terrible time against Wilson and just seemed unconfident.
- Zinchenko: 5/10 – Offered some decent support going forward, but his defending was shaky at times.
Midfielders:
- Partey: 4/10 – Couldn't control the midfield and was dispossessed far too easily.
- Xhaka: 4/10 – Just looked sluggish and didn't have the energy to make a difference.
- Odegaard: 5/10 – Tried to make things happen but was constantly frustrated.
Attackers:
- Saka: 5/10 – A few bright moments, but mostly ineffective.
- Jesus: 4/10 – Struggled to get into the game and just wasn't his usual dynamic self.
- Martinelli: 4/10 – Missed a couple of good chances and looked lethargic.
Substitutes:
- Nketiah: 6/10 – Made a decent impact off the bench and showed some much-needed urgency.
- Trossard: 6/10 – Looked lively and created some danger with his dribbling.
- Smith Rowe: 5/10 – Came on too late to make a difference.
Overall: This was one of the worst Arsenal performances I've seen in a long time. It was a complete letdown, and I hope it was just a one-off. We need to get back to our winning ways quickly or we could see this lead slip away.
Key Takeaways:
- We need to start playing like the team that was at the top of the table.
- The players need to show more passion and fight.
- We can't afford to let other teams dictate the tempo of the game.
Let's hope this is a wake-up call and we see a much improved performance in the next game. COYG!