Newcastle United were thrashed at Arsenal on Saturday night.
Eddie Howe’s side did not even manage a shot in the first-half as Arsenal ran rampant. Truth be told, the 4-1 scoreline actually flattered Newcastle.
Joe Willock’s goal upon his return from injury was clearly a positive but, aside from that, there was precious little to shout about.
Indeed, what was so disappointing were the defensive mistakes.
Howe even took the decision to drop the out-of-form Dan Burn from the starting lineup, turning to Tino Livramento as had been called for from supporters.
Still, that change proved rather pointless in the end. Bukayo Saka still had a field day.
Arsenal 4-1 Newcastle: Ally McCoist on Tino Livramento
The England international scored a fine third for the Gunners, twisting Livramento inside and out.
The £32m summer signing simply had no answer for Saka, as pundit Ally McCoist noticed.
He told TNT Sports during the broadcast of the game: “The pass is played out to Bukayo Saka and he twists and turns Tino Livramento leaving him all over the place – an excellent goal.
“Magic from Saka.”
Arsenal 4-1 Newcastle: Defensive problems continue
Howe has admitted Newcastle’s defending has been “far from ideal” of late.
What’s all the more galling is that the team’s solid defence last season provided the springboard for their success. To watch this backline breached so easily and so often is hard to believe, given how good they were last year.
Burn may have been out of form but the fact Livramento was beaten so easily perhaps points to something deeper. The fact Newcastle are conceding so often now cannot be down to just two players who happen to operate in the same position.
If Newcastle cannot get back to their best defensively, it’s hard to see how this season ends positively.
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