Janice R. Andrews
Arsenal’s championship hopes suffered a blow following a 1-0 defeat at Newcastle United, dropping them to fourth position, now trailing Liverpool by seven points. The match at St. James’ Park saw Newcastle’s Alexander Isak convert Anthony Gordon’s cross with a commanding header, continuing Arsenal’s recent stumbles after their 2-2 draw with Liverpool.
Center-back William Saliba offered a frank assessment to Metro Sports: “Unfortunately, we didn’t play the game we wanted. We deserved to lose today.” He pointed to defensive vulnerabilities, noting, “We didn’t defend the box well enough,” while acknowledging Newcastle’s strong performance.
However, Saliba maintained an upbeat outlook on their title prospects, stating, “We are focused on the next week, and it is not finished.” This positive mindset reflects Arsenal’s determination following last season’s narrow second-place finish. Their current campaign shows mixed form with five victories, three draws, and two defeats.
The situation drew commentary from various quarters, including former Manchester United defender Patrice Evra, who playfully likened Arsenal’s title pursuit to “watching Netflix, you always have to wait for next season.” Meanwhile, team talisman Bukayo Saka expressed optimism about ending the club’s title drought.
As Arsenal looks to recover, Saliba’s honest reflection demonstrates the team’s resolve to overcome their recent setbacks and maintain their championship challenge.
