Written by The Arsenal Kid.
When I wrote about the November curse at the beginning of the month, I certainly didn’t think it would hit us this early, and definitely not in this match.
It was a hugely disappointing defeat, going down at home to a newly promoted side. Even though Newcastle has been in great form coming into the match after their victory in the Tyne-Wear derby, we should have won this match comfortably.
Similar to the previous defeat against West Bromwich Albion, the team played badly with misplaced passes and lack of creativity permeating throughout the entire team. More frustrating for me was the absolutely lack of HEART among the players. There was no passion, no drive, no urgency in the each and every one of the players.
Besides a 10 minute period at the start of the second half when we have two opportunities to equalize, we didn’t trouble the opposition’s goalkeeper at all. There was no slick passing, just mindlessly thumping of the ball into the penalty. By this however, we were already devoid of our best header of the ball. Don’t know why we chose to play this way when RVP or Walcott are not the best in the air, leaving Bendtner to challenge the centrebacks. I don’t think we won any crosses that went into the box at all.
Our skipper Cesc Fabregas must have had the worst game ever since breaking into the team. He was absolutely poor in his passing and looked jaded in his running. Whereas his vision of the game is usually spot on, today his creativity and movement was nowhere to be found. I would dare say his performance affected many of the players.
Our home form is becoming a worry. With only 6 matches played at the Emirates, we have already lost twice. I guess tomorrow’s papers would blast the keeper on his blunder that led to the goal. To blame Fabianski for the loss would be the easy way but as I said, the team played really bad. This is not a good sign for the coming weeks in the month. On a weekend when Chelsea lost to Liverpool, we could have moved to within 2 points but now find ourselves back among the chasing pack for 3rd and 4th place.
