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.
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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.
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“Yeah we don’t have him. We can discuss that all day long,” Arteta told reporters. “We haven’t had him for the last four or six weeks and we don’t have him yet.
“But we have many other answers that have been very effective. Today we need to look at ourselves and congratulate Newcastle and move on.”
One player the Gunners were strongly linked to in the summer was Newcastle striker Isak, who grabbed the decisive goal on the day. Arsenal were thought to be interested in a move, amid links to Sporting star Viktor Gyokeres as well.
However, moves for a central striker did not materialise late on in the window, with Raheem Sterling arriving on a loan deal from Chelsea, as the likes of Eddie Nketiah and Emile Smith Rowe were allowed to depart on permanent transfers.
Arteta was asked if his squad missed a player like Isak after the striker’s 12th Premier League goal in his last 12 Premier League appearances at St. James’ Park, but the manager’s response spoke volumes about his own team.
“I love my players and I wouldn’t change them for anybody else,” the Spaniard stated.
However, Arteta did bemoan the chances his side did not manager to take, with the Gunners coming close to an equaliser despite their relatively poor display.
“When you create three big chances in the game you’re hoping to score a goal because these are the fine margins we’re always discussing,” he added. “I think the team should have generated more at that’s my responsibility.”
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