SETTABLOID

 Riccardo Calafiori – like Timber – is dealing with yet another fitness setback. It is telling that the statement summer arrival was at home as Arsenal lost their second game in two weeks.

He posted online with the game on TV. Already 1-0 down when he put up an image onto his Instagram story alongside two younger children, it is needed evidence of the problems Arsenal have suffered.

Calafiori being unavailable is one of many injury absences for Arteta to deal with. At this stage of the season it is a growing concern just how much the physical state of his squad is being felt, and it might be having an irreversible impact on how the entire campaign plays out.

Alexander Isak broke the deadlock with a superb header, which proved enough for the Magpies to secure all three points.

Reflecting on the game, Arteta noted that Arsenal’s attacks lacked the final quality needed to trouble Nick Pope in Newcastle’s goal.

“We are obviously very frustrated and disappointed with the result,” Arteta said post-match. “I think we started the game really well, we were on top of it, and then in one action, we found ourselves 1-0 down after a brilliant cross and finish.”

Arteta acknowledged that Arsenal’s initial momentum faltered following Newcastle’s goal. “I think the energy and momentum changed. We got dragged too much into the game they wanted to play and weren’t good enough or consistent enough to get out of that. You look at the chances, possession, and dominance, and there’s no difference between the teams.”

The manager was clear that Arsenal had to be more clinical in these situations. “The reality is, when we had the chances, we didn’t score, and we didn’t create enough threat consistently against an opposition that does very well at what it does.

Bukayo Saka has broken his silence following Arsenal’s 1-0 loss against Newcastle. Alexander Isak fired the Magpies to victory at St. James’ Park on Saturday lunchtime, denting the Gunners’ hopes of winning the Premier League.

Arsenal could fall to sixth place by the end of the weekend, with Aston Villa and Chelsea eager to capitalise on the north Londoners’ disappointing result. On Sunday afternoon, Unai Emery’s team face Tottenham Hotspur before the Blues lock horns with Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Regardless of results elsewhere, though, Arsenal have significant ground to make up in the title race. Liverpool are two points clear of Manchester City at the top of the table, and seven points ahead of the Gunners.

After a ‘frustrating’ clash against Newcastle, Saka broke his silence on social media. The England international, who donned the captain’s armband in the absence of Martin Odegaard, re-posted a post-match graphic to his Instagram story, with the caption: “We stick together!”

Speaking to reporters, Arteta was also asked for his assessment of the reverse. The Gunners head coach said: “We started really well. I think we were on top of it, we looked sharp, we looked alive. And then one action, which they are really good at – they put the ball wide and have an unbelievable cross and finish.

“And then momentum changes, energy shifts. You know the game they want to play. It’s clear. You get dragged into that kind of game too often and we weren’t good enough and we didn’t have enough answers to get out of that constantly, especially to create the threat that we needed and discussed about.”

Martin Odegaard is set to hand Arsenal and Mikel Arteta a major boost at the perfect time. The Gunners have won just two of their last five games in all competitions and are also without a win in three Premier League games after losing to Newcastle at St James’ Park on Saturday.

The club captain has been missing for a significant period after picking up an ankle injury while playing for Norway during the September international break. In his absence, Arsenal initially continued to pick victories, however they have become far more inconsistent in recent weeks.

A defeat at Bournemouth came eight days before a draw at home to Liverpool with Mikel Arteta’s side now eight points behind their title rivals. A lack of creativity in midfield has greatly impacted Arsenal with Bukayo Saka certainly feeling that burden on his shoulders.

Thankfully for him and Arteta, that looks set to be relieved relatively soon with Odegaard nearing a return to action ahead of the Champions League clash against Inter on Wednesday evening.

“Now is the stage he is going to start doing certain work with us and just see how he deals with pain, if he is moving naturally enough and if he is physically at the level required to compete,” Arteta said on Friday in a press conference.

“But with the work rate and the hours he has put in, I would be surprised if the moment he starts training with us we don’t say he is ready so hopefully soon.” Odegaard is yet to be spotted in a team training session but he will likely have two opportunities to complete at least one before the Gunners’ European clash in Italy.

Mikel Arteta has given a clear response to concerns over Arsenal’s lack of creativity in the defeat to Newcastle United with Martin Odegaard still absent. The Gunners had just one shot on target at St James’ Park, with that a goal line clearance to deny Mikel Merino, which meant Nick Pope did not need to make one save.

Bukayo Saka did everything he could in front of goal to drag his side back level after Alexander Isak’s early opener, but Leandro Trossard, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli all failed to make a big impact. Ethan Nwaneri and Gabriel Jesus brought some life to the Gunners off the bench, but they could not find a way through.

In an attempt to deal with Odegaard’s absence, Arteta has trialled a number of solutions, with the latest a midfield pivot of Declan Rice and Merino that saw Trossard and Havertz each drop back at different moments. The return of a midfielder is clearly required, though, with Odegaard included.

“Now is the stage he is going to start doing certain work with us and just see how he deals with pain, if he is moving naturally enough and if he is physically at the level required to compete,” Arteta said on Friday in a press conference.

“But with the work rate and the hours he has put in I would be surprised if the moment he starts training with us we don’t say he is ready so hopefully soon.” Being involved in the matchday squad to face Inter in the Champions League next Wednesday looks entirely possible.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta will be hoping for some positive injury news to arrive ahead of the Champions League clash away at Inter Milan. The Gunners are unbeaten in European action so far this season, but they have struggled as of late to pick up regular wins in the Premier League, with that trend continuing over the weekend.

On Saturday afternoon, Arteta’s side were beaten by Newcastle at St James’ Park, with Alexander Isak netting the winner. Mikel Merino and Declan Rice both had chances for the visitors, but neither were able to convert with the Magpies dominating the midfield battle.

As for injuries, Gabriel Magalhaes was named in the starting XI having overcome the issue he sustained last weekend against Liverpool with Ben White in the matchday squad, despite Arteta revealing that before Friday, he had not been able to train.

Martin Odegaard and Riccardo Calafiori, meanwhile, missed out as they each recovered from ankle and knee injuries, respectively.

Despite only just returning from injury, White started against Bournemouth, Shakhtar Donetsk and Liverpool. He was absent against Preston in the Carabao Cup the following week due to load management, but quickly became a doubt to face Newcastle.

Would you believe it? Arsenal have dropped five points in two consecutive games in the Premier League. First, they held to a 2-2 draw against Liverpool, which is understandable and acceptable. But their recent defeat against Newcastle United might not settle well with the fans.

The Gunners were handlock throughout the game and the tie ended at 1-0 in the favour of Magpies. Their latest loss holds them at 18 points after 10 games. While they are sitting at the third position on the points table, they might fall down depending on the results of other teams.

Arsenal Players Rated In Loss Vs Newcastle:

David Raya (GK) – 6/10 

The Gunners’ goalkeeper had no chance of stopping the only goal that the game saw. Overall, he was decent enough with his passing and collection.

Thomas Partey (RB) – 6/10

Though Partey looked formidable in the defensive aspects, he failed to make an influential impact going forward. Fans must have expected more from him today.

William Saliba (CB) – 5/10

Definitely not the performance Saliba is known for as he made some notable defensive errors and looked vulnerable in the aerial battle.

Gabriel (CB) – 5.5/10

It felt like Gabriel lacked match fitness as his display was below par. 

Jurrien Timber (LB) – 5/10

Timber failed badly to keep up with Gordan as the latter was getting past the defender with ease.

Declan Rice (CM) – 6/10 

The midfielder’s role grew in the second half where he was giving his all. He came close to giving an equalizer towards the end of the game.

Mikel Merino (CM) – 5/10

Merino created a beautiful chance but wasn’t lucky to have an assist to his name. He was later subbed off due to the yellow card he picked for tackling Bruno Guimaraes.

Leandro Trossard (AM) – 3.5/10

Pathetic display by Trossard as he gave away the ball too many times. He was logically subbed off around the hour mark.

Bukayo Saka (RW) – 5.5/10

He tried his best to create a piece of magic but did not have his day. He did put a great deliver into the box but Rice missed it badly.

Kai Havertz (ST) – 3/10

Never came close to scoring and was completely off the radar today. 

Gabriel Martinelli (LW) – 4.5/10

Arsenal have now gone three Premier League games without a victory following their defeat at St James’s Park this afternoon. The Gunners were looking to bounce back following dropped points against Bournemouth and Liverpool, however it wasn’t to be as Alexander Isak scored the only goal of the game.

William Saliba’s red card against Bournemouth contributed to the start of Arsenal’s poor run over the last three games. The Frenchman returned from suspension today, after missing the game against Liverpool last week.

William Saliba admitted it’s going to take him some time to get back to his best level, following the defeat against Newcastle today: “We are all a bit sad because we wanted to win today. Unfortunately we didn’t and we didn’t play the game we wanted to play.

Mikel Arteta launched a defiant response about his Arsenal squad after a disappointing display and result against Newcastle United at St. James’ Park.

The Gunners were well-off the pace on their trip to the north east, with Alexander Isak opening the scoring inside 15 minutes for the hosts. The striker rose highest to meet a wonderful cross from Anthony Gordon, getting himself in between Gabriel and William Saliba to nod home.

Arteta’s side were unable to force many true openings throughout the game, coming close to an equaliser on two occasions as Declan Rice saw a shot deflect just wide before later heading a golden opportunity wide from Bukayo Saka’s cross.

The lack of creativity was a key drawback from the Gunners’ performance, but Arteta insisted that his side cannot blame it all on the absence of Martin Odegaard, who looks set to return from injury at some point in the next week – either against Inter in the Champions League or away at Chelsea next Sunday.

Mikel Arteta only has a few days on the training pitches at London Colney before Arsenal return to action. After losing 1-0 to Newcastle United at St. James’ Park this Saturday lunchtime, the Gunners must now switch focus to the Champions League.

Arsenal will lock horns with Inter Milan at the San Siro on Wednesday night – as the new-look marquee European campaign begins to take shape. The north Londoners remain unbeaten following wins against Paris Saint-Germain and Shakhtar Donetsk, and a draw to Atalanta, so they’ll be eager to maintain that streak.

After some disappointing performances recently, the Italian giants will be looking to pile on the misery.

Inter Milan (A) – Champions League – Wednesday, November 6

Another away day for Arsenal! What a spectacle this will be – and this is what the Champions League is all about. Locking horns with Europe’s best at famous stadiums like the San Siro.