Considering the fact there were fan protests outside of St. James’ Park for the first game of the Steve Bruce era, it’s probably fair to suggest that the Newcastle fanbase isn’t a wholly happy one. Indeed, that appeared to continue after the club lost their first game of Bruce’s reign.
58' – GOAL – Newcastle United 0 Arsenal 1 (Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang) #NUFC
— Newcastle United (@NUFC) August 11, 2019
Bruce’s side did well and held their own against last season’s Europa League finalists in the opening 45 minutes, but ultimately when Arsenal did find the net in the 1-0 win the Geordies were very quick to slate their side.
Jetro Willems didn’t have the best of debuts, coming on for the final 36 minutes of action the left-back failed to make a single interception, clearance or block and gave the ball away once, as per WhoScored, but the real crime was his sloppiness in not going towards the ball as Ainsley Maitland-Niles beat him to the incoming pass before firing in the cross for the Gunners’ opener.
You can read the Geordies’ verdict on their side’s defending for the goal here:
Willems waiting for the ball. Everyone gets dragged over and lascelles almost left with 2 men to mark
— Shaun (@ShaunGrey22) August 11, 2019
GO TO THE BALL.
— Sam Carrick (@SammyCarrick) August 11, 2019
Announce relegation.
— Sebastian Rico. (@SebasAesthetics) August 11, 2019
Poor goal to concede had looked quite solid at the back. Need Someone to grab a goal now!
— Southern Magpie (@southern_magpie) August 11, 2019
Never mind Bruce. That was Captain Lascelles doing his own thing. Shocking defending.
— Dean (@Bix1985) August 11, 2019
Comedy defending
— Stu (@StuartRitchie20) August 11, 2019
AND THE RELEGATION SEASON STARTS HEREEEEE pic.twitter.com/zdqtve9muD
— Jon Mac (@jon_macd) August 11, 2019
The Magpies will be hoping things improve defensively over the course of the season, and with Norwich away next, keeping a clean sheet should be easier than against Arsenal.
