Eddie Howe singles out ‘impressive’ £25m Newcastle man for praise after Arsenal defeat

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There were a number of disappointing performances on Saturday night as Newcastle United recorded their 15th defeat of the season against Arsenal.

Newcastle were not their usual high-pressing high and intensity selves last night as Arsenal were able to walk all over them and keep them from getting out of their own half for most of the game.

However, in his interview with NUFCTV, Eddie Howe singled out Joe Willock’s return and performance as one of the ‘good things’ in what was otherwise a terrible night.

Howe impressed with Newcastle man’s display vs Arsenal

Losing Willock for most of the season has been one of the biggest blows for Newcastle and it was proved last night just how much they’ve missed his energy and running in the midfield.

The £25m signing made his return from an Achilles injury which has kept him out since November and netted what Howe described as being a ‘great goal’ but it was ultimately just a consolation for the Geordies.

Arsenal had already wrapped the game up by that point, but Howe insisted that they have to focus on the things that they did well and take it into the next run of games.

It isn’t much, but at the end of the day Newcastle’s season was never going to be defined on their result away to Arsenal and for many they had viewed this as sort of a free hit.

On Willock, Howe said: “You always have to look at the good things that we did tonight and there weren’t many, but Joe’s cameo was impressive after so long out and he’s did what he’s always done. He’s arrived late got a determination to score and it’s a great header.”

Newcastle should have big concerns for the rest of the season

The rate at which they are conceding goals, 12 in their last four games, will be very alarming for Howe who had organised the best defence in the Premier League last season, so he has a lot of work to do to put things right.

Both Sven Botman and Fabian Schar in particular looked like shadows of their former selves at the Emirates with Botman in particular not playing at his best as of late.

It’s a strange one to analyse because both players were so incredibly important to Newcastle’s impressive defensive record last year, but against Arsenal you’d be forgiven for thinking they were in a relegation battle.

Newcastle simply cannot continue this way and still have hopes of qualifying for Europe – something has to change or they are facing a very disappointing mid-table finish.