Alexander Isak gave Newcastle the lead in the 12th minute, which translated in their maiden victory in six league matches – leaving Arsenal at the third spot in the Premier League table behind the higher-placed Manchester City FC and Liverpool FC.
Arteta’s men created limited chances in the game that resulted in the first time since May 2022 that they lost two consecutive away games. The Gunners were blanked 2-0 by Bournemouth by October 19.
Not what we wanted, but thank you as always for your support, Gooners ❤️
Let’s regroup and go again on Wednesday. pic.twitter.com/HVa4omo0Jl— Arsenal (@Arsenal) November 2, 2024
“We deserved to lose today,” Arteta told Premier League Productions. “I thought we started really well and were really dominant. We didn’t defend the box well enough. Credit to them. They scored a great goal with a good ball.
“Then the game changes and you start to play a different game. You have to adapt and we didn’t do that well enough. I am very frustrated.
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“We got dragged into a game they are looking for constantly and we couldn’t play the game that we wanted.”
Newcastle defender Lewis Hall threw his body in front of Arsenal’s lone shot on target, blocking Mikel Merino’s volley from close range in the first half. Declan Rice squandered a terrific chance in injury time, latching on to a cross but firing it wide of the net.
???? “We’re obviously very frustrated and disappointed.”
Mikel Arteta gives his reaction after a tough afternoon ????
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) November 2, 2024
“We had two big chances — Mikel had a big one, Declan had a big one. We lacked answers,” Arteta said.
His squad are winless in their last three Premier League matches.
“We can say whatever we want. We will struggle to find the words today. We have to show it on the pitch on Wednesday night (against Inter Milan in a Champions League match).
“You have to be at your best every time to give yourself a chance to win.”
(With Reuters inputs)
First Published: Nov 3, 2024 8:23 PM IST