The Newcastle United owners have been told exactly what they need to do to reach Arsenal’s level.
Eddie Howe’s side were easily brushed aside by Arsenal on Saturday, with the Gunners winning 4-1 at the Emirates Stadium.
It was meant to a fierce and intense game, but it never really burst into life. Arsenal dominated, while Newcastle were largely appalling.
It was a stark contrast to last season, when the Magpies got involved in a real battle away to Arsenal. That ended in a 0-0 draw, with Howe’s team really frustrating Mikel Arteta.
But this season is different. Injuries have decimated the Newcastle squad, leaving Eddie Howe with a struggling side that is short of confidence.
Those injury issues are beginning to subside, but there is no way that Newcastle are going to achieve what they did last season. And now Garth Crooks has told the Toon owners what they must do to get back to that level and actually surpass it.
Garth Crooks tells the Newcastle United owners what they need to do
Crooks has written about Newcastle United during his BBC Sport team of the week column. That is despite the fact that no Newcastle players are involved. However, he has included two members of the Arsenal team that won 4-1 on Saturday night.
“If ever Newcastle boss Eddie Howe wants to know what effect the demands of the Champions League has had on his team he need look no further than this 4-1 defeat against Arsenal,” he wrote.
“This time last year Newcastle went toe-to-toe with Arsenal at the Emirates and looked ready to join the game’s elite. However, their squad was never big or good enough to cope with the demands of hosting Borussia Dortmund, Paris St-Germain and others in pursuit of European success – and then be expected to return to their domestic league and perform.”
Crooks added: “If the Newcastle hierarchy want what Arsenal have then they are going to have to pay for it. It’s no coincidence that the top three teams in the league have the best squads in the country.”
The pundit later included Martin Odegaard in his team his well, which brought him back to Newcastle and their squad.
He wrote: “Eddie Howe cannot be blamed for Newcastle’s lack of staying power. A manager is only has good as his squad and the squad was never big or good enough to cope with those demands.”
Criticism of Newcastle squad is slightly harsh
I feel like criticism of the Newcastle squad and its depth is a bit harsh. We largely had enough depth, but it quickly became unavailable due to a spree of lengthy injuries – and Sandro Tonali’s suspension.
But Crooks’ solution is rather straightforward, even if it is the only route to consistent success. He has told the Newcastle owners that they need to spend, as that is the only way they are going to consistently be at the top.
It does not take a genius to work that out, but the point still stands. The owners will be well aware of that, but have been hamstrung by the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules.
It will be interesting to see what kind of impact it has this summer, or if PIF will be able to dig deep into their pockets and raise the quality of Eddie Howe’s squad.
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