One Newcastle player didn’t deserve to be on the losing side against Arsenal, and that was Allan Saint-Maximin.
The Frenchman was irresistible at times at the Emirates, causing the Gunners multiple problems down the left flank.
Particularly in the first half, the 22-year-old looked unstoppable. Everything good about Newcastle was going through him.
(Photo by IAN KINGTON/AFP via Getty Images)
At times, the only thing that could stop him was himself. At one point in the first half, the winger attempted an audacious spin past the Arsenal defender, only to get the ball caught in his feet and lose possession.
The Magpies were woeful in the second half, as Arsenal romped home to a 4-0 win. However, things might have been different.
At 2-0, Saint-Maximin nearly halved the deficit, but his curling effort crashed off the post.
Arsenal were average at times, but still they cruised to a 4-0 win. Individual errors at the back cost Newcastle yet again, and their inability to create chances at the other end hindered them.
(Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
There were moments of brilliance from Saint-Maximin however, but sadly his teammates couldn’t match him.
While Newcastle’s overall performance was grim, Saint-Maximin deserves credit for what he did against the Gunners.
Saint-Maximin dazzles Newcastle fans despite desperate team performance
Gutted Saint Maximin hit the post he deserved a goal tonight #nufc
— Martin Lidbury (@L96Martin) February 16, 2020
The only positive I see at #nufc right now is this lad@asaintmaximin
He’ll go to a better club in the summer
Far too good for us
— Leigh NUFC⚽️⚪⚫ (@KKL100812) February 16, 2020
@asaintmaximin best player on the field in my opinion #NUFC #saintmaximin #ARSNEW
— Jo Norkett (@jonufc9) February 16, 2020
One thing I will say about #NUFC is that, for all the slating the recruitment team have had for Joelinton, there needs to an equal volume of pats on the back for @asaintmaximin – just going to get better and better – the type of player that #NUFC fans love as well.
— Dean Buckle (@DeanBuckle) February 16, 2020
Saint-Maximin is class man jesus #NUFC @asaintmaximin
— Jack Carter (@Jack_Carter1999) February 16, 2020
Saint-Maximin has been torturing Bellerin the whole game, isolate those 1v1s and let torture him more in the second half. Bentaleb & Lazaro have been great. #nufc
— ✰ Rყαɳ ✰ (@RyanIcardi99) February 16, 2020