Player ratings, fan reaction & more: Toothless Arsenal’s Top-4 hopes go up in smoke at hands of brilliant Newcastle

Result

Arsenal’s must-win trip to Tyneside on Monday evening saw Mikel Arteta’s troops come up short in a major, major way, as the club’s Champions League-shaped dreams went up in smoke.

The Gunners of course travelled to St. James’ Park a short time ago, in the knowledge that nothing but a three-point haul would suffice up against a much-improved Newcastle outfit.

This came after Mikel Arteta’s troops were leapfrogged into the top-4 by north London rivals Tottenham just over 24 hours ago.

In the end, however, such efforts proved futile, as a toothless Arsenal outfit were put to the sword in deserved fashion by two goals to nil.

After Newcastle completely dominated the opening 45 minutes, Ben White set the scoring in motion at the wrong end early in the 2nd-half, in directing Joelinton’s delivery from the left beyond Aaron Ramsdale:

“A DAGGER TO THE HEART OF ARSENAL, A HUGE BOOST FOR TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR”

Newcastle take the lead at St James’ Park!! 👊💥 pic.twitter.com/u89X4weTPM

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 16, 2022

And the clash was ended as a contest five minutes from time, when Bruno Guimaraes continued to add to his icon status on Tyneside with Newcastle’s 2nd:

TWO!!

Bruno Guimarães doubles Newcastle’s lead! Arsenal’s top four hopes are up in smoke 😮 pic.twitter.com/s457bEUvlS

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 16, 2022

Player Ratings

Newcastle

Martin Dubravka – 5.5 – Will hardly enjoy a more comfortable night across his entire career.

Emil Krafth – 5.5 – In truth, there is not a lot to be said for Newcastle’s defence this evening. All stepped up to the plate to keep an admittedly lacklustre Arsenal attack at bay with ease.

Fabian Schar – 5 – Untroubled throughout his 48 minutes on the pitch, before being hauled off owing to a nasty head injury.

Dan Burn – 6 – A leader at the back once again. What a superb signing Burn has proven.

Matt Targett – 6 – Like those around him, dealt with what came his way in confident fashion.

Bruno Guimaraes – 6.5 – Dominated proceedings in the middle of the park during the first-half, before bagging the killer 2nd for Newcastle late on.

Sean Longstaff – 5.5 – A quiet but effective showing from the 24-year-old, who kept things ticking over with minimal fuss.

Joelinton – 7 – Continues to impress in his berth in Newcastle’s engine room. A tireless showing interspersed with moments of quality, including the assist for the game’s opener.

Miguel Almiron – 5.5 – Started off brightly down the hosts’ right, but saw his influence wane as the game wore on. Solid if nothing else.

Allan Saint-Maximin – 6 – Lively and incisive along the left flank, ASM forced Ramsdale into a smart first-half save, before releasing Joelinton in the buildup to the game’s first goal.

Callum Wilson – 6.5 – Led the line superbly, causing Arsenal’s backline all sorts of problems. Unlucky not to add his name to the scoresheet.

Substitutes

Jamaal Lascelles – 5.5 – Introduced just beyond the interval, and didn’t put a foot wrong.

Ryan Fraser – 4.5 – Could have added to Newcastle’s advantage late on.

Jacob Murphy – 4.5 – Like Fraser, could well have done better to add to the hosts’ lead after his late introduction.

Arsenal

Aaron Ramsdale – 5.5 – Looked shaky from the off, and was lucky not to cost his side a goal courtesy of numerous poor passes. Did produce some impressive saves to prevent the scoreline becoming an embarrassing one, though.

Takehiro Tomiyasu – 3 – Lasted just 40 minutes before being forced to limp out of proceedings with a hamstring injury. Did not exactly excel prior to his early exit from the action, either.

Ben White – 4 – Like Ramsdale behind him, endured a rough opening to the evening, before netting the own goal which could well have brought his side’s Champions League dream to an end.

Gabriel Magalhaes – 4.5 – Another who was perhaps lacking in match fitness, Gabriel looked a touch off the pace on Tyneside.

Nuno Tavares – 5.5 – The best of a poor Arsenal backline on the night. Looked dangerous when afforded the chance to surge forward before being hooked just beyond the hour as his side went in search of an equaliser.

Mohamed Elneny – 5 – Characteristically neat in possession, but his influence, in truth, was minimal.

Granit Xhaka – 5 – Struggled in his efforts to come to grips with Newcastle’s midfield, albeit whilst looking better in the 2nd-half. Xhaka, through no fault of his own, appears to have run out of steam as the season’s end approaches.

Bukayo Saka – 5.5 – As always, did his utmost to create from his berth on the right flank, but simply couldn’t will his teammates into any sort of attacking rhythm.

Martin Odegaard – 4.5 – A really disappointing evening for the Gunners’ attacking string-puller, who just couldn’t get himself into the game against a physical Newcastle midfield.

Emile Smith Rowe – 4 – Another underwhelming showing from Arsenal’s gifted academy product, who has looked some way short of his brilliant best over recent weeks.

Eddie Nketiah – 5 – Looked, alongside Saka, the visitors’ only remote threat throughout much of the clash. Took too much out of the ball on occasion, though.

Substitutes

Cedric Soares – 4 – Caught high up the pitch as Newcastle broke to open the scoring. Not good enough for a side with Champions League aspirations.

Gabriel Martinelli – 4.5 – Immediately added some impetus to Arsenal’s frontline, but his end product was altogether non-existent.

Alexandre Lacazette – 3.5 – Brought on to add more of a focal point to the visitors’ attack, but failed to do so in any way, shape or form.

Nicolas Pepe – 4 – Looked lively after coming on, but his final ball proved sorely lacking amid another night to forget for Arsenal’s record signing.

What the fans said

I swear to god this is an abysmal performance. It’s indescribable how bad this is. Horrendous. Horrific. Diabolical. Embarrassing. I could go on.

— now.arsenal (@now_arsenaI) May 16, 2022

Well All or Nothing should hopefully mean nothing next season for many of these players.

— Darren (@DarrenArsenal1) May 16, 2022

Last thing for tonight: as gutting as that was, I’d rather be at this point of the season and for the games to matter than to play dead rubbers like the last few years.

Plenty to do this summer, but there has been progress. Add well in key positions and we can improve further.

— arseblog (@arseblog) May 16, 2022

as spurs fans we are so used to seeing teams roll over against arsenal at this stage of the season. WHAT A PERFORMANCE lads you were outstanding and thanks to the toon army, what an atmosphere yous created made it so uncomfortable for Arsenal. Thank you we wont forget it 🙏

— TM (@tradesTM) May 16, 2022

Performance of the season that for me. You’d think it was us battling for a top 4 spot not them. Everyone down to a man was excellent and what a difference Wilson makes he was superb. We’ve got the real foundations of a good team and a good coach and next year is gonna be fun

— Ryan Kelly (@Ryan__Kelly97) May 16, 2022

That was the result of the past 6 months coming to fruition. Incredible performance.

I love this club so much, Bruno is God and hurry up confirm Howe MOTS 👍👍

— Dell 💦 (@agbnufc_) May 16, 2022

What you may have missed

Props to Callum Wilson. About to lose his front tooth but hurries straight back onto the pitch to try & get on the end of a few crosses. Now there’s a leader… #NUFC 👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/85Hkj3hz3Z

— Ryan Taylor (@RyanTaylorSport) May 16, 2022

📊 Newcastle’s PL record against the top 5 this season
LLLLLLLLLW

📊 Most points from last 18 PL games
45 Liverpool
43 Man City
35 Newcastle pic.twitter.com/6fhvaYazok

— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) May 16, 2022

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Last updated: 1 min ago