A frustrating defeat at St James’ Park as Arsenal ran away 2-0 winners, but a top-four finish remains well within our grasp ahead of Saturday’s trip to Leeds.
Here’s the ratings from yesterday’s game, starting with my man of the match:
Nick Pope – 8* – Kept us in a game at 1-0, making a string of top saves. One in particular denied Ødegaard late in first half, making himself big just as the Norwegian looked set to score. Distribution a little bit shaky – he nearly hit one clearance straight at Saka – yet he came up trumps to stop one on ones from Saka and Martinelli after both burst clean through. Couldn’t do anything about Arsenal second goal and was blocked by so many bodies for their opener.
Kieran Trippier – 6 – Had mixed success against Martinelli down their left-hand side. Got tight on occasions but was sometimes caught too high up the pitch. Seemed to get frustrated as the game went on. Created a massive chance for the Schar header which could and should have drawn us level.
Fabian Schar – 5 – Missed a huge chance in the second half, firing his close range header straight at Ramsdale. Scored a really unlucky own goal for Arsenal’s second and lost his head late on, getting booked for handbags with Nketiah. Dealt with Jesus well at times, but the pesky Brazilian got the better of him in the end.
Sven Botman – 5 – Couldn’t pop the ball into midfield as effectively as he normally does. Got megged with the long range Odegaard shot. Not his best showing but will be back stronger. Seemed to be exposed by holes in our midfield with players picking the ball up in the pocket and runners in behind.
Dan Burn – 5 – Made an obvious attempt to get tight to Saka throughout the game but made persistent fouls. Couldn’t cope with his pace and unpredictability. Booked late on for a late challenge.
Bruno Guimaraes – 4 – Really poor showing from the Brazilian maestro, who was well off the pace in midfield. He was constantly caught in possession, chased shadows at times and little came off for him in the final third. Looked really frustrated and gave away some silly free kicks. It just wasn’t his day in a midfield that looked unbalanced without Longstaff.
Joelinton – 6 – Struggled first half, giving the ball away in bad areas, but improved in the second. Was extremely combative and put some huge tackles in, just didn’t quite get going with the ball at his feet and struggled to get forward.
Joe Willock – 5 – Really quiet showing and missed a huge chance in the first half, hitting his effort straight at Ramsdale. Struggled to impose himself against his former employers. Maybe tried too hard?
Jacob Murphy – 4 – Struggled to get anything going after his shot which hit the post in the opening 90 seconds. Zinchenko and Tierney had him stifled all afternoon. Final ball let him down – too many crosses hit first man.
Alexander Isak – 7 – Really lively when he was on the ball but positioned too far away from goal to make a telling difference in the match. That said, he still hit the post and created a good chance for Willock.
Callum Wilson – 5 – Quiet showing from Wilson who has been on fire in recent weeks. Didn’t link up with Isak as well as he is in past matches. Gabriel dealt with his physicality well.
Substitutes:
Miguel Almiron – 5 – Failed to impact the game. Lacked creativity and flair. Rarely troubled Tierney.
Allan Saint-Maximin – 7 – Caused havoc when we got him on the ball. Drove into the box, had Arsenal defenders back peddling and had one lovely effort tipped wide by Ramsdale.
Anthony Gordon – 5 – Didn’t have too many touches, failing to effect the game. A few overhit passes.
Elliot Anderson – 6 – Looked sharp and lively off the bench, causing a few problems for the Arsenal defence. Decent cameo.
Matt Targett – N/A – Came on at left-back for a booked Dan Burn. Didn’t see much of the ball in final 10 minutes.
Howe hasn’t found the solution to the imbalance when Longstaff isn’t there to cover for Trippier going AWOL and leaving Schar exposed, Trippier gets a generous 5 for me.
Bruno has been really sloppy giving the ball away also lost the ball for Southampton’s opener think a 4 is generous.
Wilson non existent yesterday 5 is generous, Murphy just doesn’t do enough or cover enough 4 about right.
If Howe wants Trippier to bomb forward without Longstaff in the team he should perhaps go five at the back with Targett as the other wing back especially against really good teams which Arsenal are.
Although the overall performance wasn’t as bad as it seemed due to the chances we missed we have to give the opposition different problems to solve when players like Wilson are having an off day, it’s not as if we haven’t got anyone St Max, Anderson and Gordon are all capable of upsetting defences when they seem comfortable.
Howe has to be brave and change things wether it be formation or personnel.
Joseph(Quote)
Joseph wouldn’t change formation just over a defeat do agree about longstaff thou and that’s why the number one priority in the summer is to strengthen the midfield need to bring in two midfielders this window especially a holding midfielder are number 6 as there called now
Darren Bebb(Quote)
I think that’s the only reason McTom keeps getting mentioned. I think he’s the closest player to Longstaff in the league.
There’s no shame to losing to Arsenal at home or away. For me they’ve been the best side we’ve played this season.
Missing the early chances cost us. Murphs goes in instead of hitting the post & we get that penalty & convert it & it’s a totally different game.
If you’d told me we’d have suffered only our 5th defeat in May though I’d have laughed at you at the start of the season.
Sharpy17(Quote)