‘This is not how great clubs win games. They were only yesterday that my key players were injured, if not who is Arsenal in front of Newcastle’: Newcastle manager Eddie Howe discloses the alarming reasons behind their failure yesterday.

Eddie Howe has expressed his worry over Newcastle United’s defensive performance following their 4-0 loss to Arsenal. The Gunners dominated the match, with goals from Sven Botman (own goal), Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka, and Jakub Kiwior, leaving Newcastle struggling to keep up. Even though Joe Willock managed to score a late consolation goal, it was not enough to salvage the match.

Newcastle’s defensive struggles have been evident throughout the season, conceding a total of 20 goals in 2024, the highest in the English Premier League. Howe acknowledged the issue, stating that every game where they concede goals is a cause for concern. He emphasized that they are actively working behind the scenes to address the problem but admitted that improvements were not evident in the recent performance against Arsenal.

The manager pointed out specific areas of weakness, highlighting the team’s inability to defend set pieces effectively, resulting in goals conceded from corners despite being aware of the opponent’s threat. He also lamented the third goal, considering it a significant disappointment as Newcastle was dominating the game at that point.

Howe stressed the importance of a collective effort in defense, reminiscing about the team’s mentality from the previous season, where they showcased outstanding collective defense from front to back. He believes that while the desire to defend remains, the team’s proficiency in executing defensive strategies has diminished.

Despite currently sitting seventh in the Premier League, Newcastle’s inability to secure a victory at the Emirates Stadium since 2010 underscores the magnitude of their defensive struggles and the urgency to improve their solidity at the back. Howe acknowledges the need for significant improvement in their defensive performances to achieve better results in future matches.