Arsenal ratings: Leandro Trossard off pace in strike duo but Thomas Partey impresses out of position vs Newcastle
LEANDRO TROSSARD had a game to forget as Arsenal’s toothless attack meant they slumped to defeat at Newcastle.
The Gunners are now winless in three Premier League matches, having lost consecutive away games.
Newcastle dominated the opening 25 minutes and were rewarded when Alexander Isak headed in a brilliant Anthony Gordon cross.
They could have increased their advantage but Arsenal defended resolutely while offering a threat via set-pieces.
But the Gunners offered little in the attacking final third with Trossard particularly off the pace.
The Belgian started in a rarely seen front two alongside Kai Havertz but produced just one shot, which was blocked, and lost possession 12 times.
Mikel Arteta’s attacking experiment did not pay off with Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli far from their best.
There were few positives to take although Thomas Partey impressed once again, initially at right-back before moving into the middle.
Here is how SunSport’s Jordan Davies rated the Arsenal display.
DAVID RAYA – 6/10
Great early distribution to go long over the Newcastle press but nothing he could do with Isak’s pin-point header.
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Was barely troubled in the second half but was forced to watch a lacklustre Arsenal dawdle to another defeat.
THOMAS PARTEY – 7
Looks really comfortable in that role, even if it is only temporary, but obviously lacks an attacking threat of a full-back which hindered Saka slightly.
Moved back into midfield on the hour mark with Arsenal chasing the game.
WILLIAM SALIBA – 7
A welcome presence back in the defensive line following suspension. Covered his defensive partner well and kept his cool amid Arsenal’s frustration.
GABRIEL – 5
Lost Isak in the box for Newcastle’s opener and nearly handed the hosts another chance with a sloppy pass out.
Normally a rock, this was one of those rare jittery displays we thought were a thing of the past.
JURRIEN TIMBER – 6
Looked good in attack but arguably should have closed down Gordon’s cross before the hosts took the lead and struggled to contain the England winger in the first half.
MIKEL MERINO – 5
Unfortunate not to get on the score sheet against his former club from close range after a scramble from a corner.
But as a whole, he currently looks lost in his position, unsure of when to go and when to sit deep, meaning Newcastle were able to prize Arsenal’s midfield open.
Feels like we are not seeing the best of him just yet.
DECLAN RICE – 6
On set-piece duty, his delivery was unusually poor, failing to beat the first man on numerous occasions and struggled to impose himself in open play too, even if he came close with a deflected effort in the second half before fluffing a great headed chance in injury time.
If he is going to be the anchor of this team and dictate play, he has got to be a lot better.
LEANDRO TROSSARD – 5
Pretty anonymous other than a few surging runs. Another player that looks lost in a floating No.10 role behind the main striker.
The Belgian is at his best cutting in and using his blistering pace. He can do neither through the middle against a compact opposition set-up.
BUKAYO SAKA – 6
Looked to be getting the better of Toon right-back Hall early on but his game faded after that, along with his team’s.
GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 7
Showed glimpses of being back to his buzzing best, taking on defenders and stretching the game for Arsenal, but only lasted an hour before being taken off.
KAI HAVERTZ – 6
Never got a sniff, but got to put that down to a complete lack of service from Arsenal’s wide players. He was desperate to attack a decent cross that never really came.
SUBS:
ETHAN NWANERI (MERINO, 61) – 6
Given a nice welcome to Tyneside with a crunching tackle from Willock seconds after coming on.
Found some nice pockets of space and look sharp as he blazed one over from range, but was always a big ask for him to be Arsenal’s saviour.
OLEKSANDR ZINCHENKO (MARTINELLI, 61) – 5
Thrown on to bring tempo and control. Brought neither from an inverted left-back position.
BEN WHITE (TIMBER, 71) – 6
Had only completed half a session to prepare for this one having picked up a knock against Liverpool last weekend, so was a surprise to even see him at all.
GABRIEL JESUS (TROSSARD) – 5
Tasked with creating something special from out wide, but there is a reason the Brazilian is only a bit-part player nowadays.