---
title: "Newcastle: Fans take to Twitter to slam shoddy defending in Arsenal tie"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/newcastle-fans-take-to-twitter-to-slam-shoddy-defending-in-arsenal-tie/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Ally Darlow"
section: "Newcastle United"
published: "2019-08-12T14:55:45Z"
modified: "2019-08-12T14:55:45Z"
---

# Newcastle: Fans take to Twitter to slam shoddy defending in Arsenal tie

**Considering the fact there were [fan protests outside of St. James’ Park](https://www.itv.com/news/tyne-tees/2019-08-11/newcastle-united-fans-protest-against-mike-ashley-s-ownership/) 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](https://twitter.com/hashtag/NUFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
>
> — Newcastle United (@NUFC) [August 11, 2019](https://twitter.com/NUFC/status/1160555681247879168?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

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](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/94885/Show/Jetro-Willems), 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](https://twitter.com/ShaunGrey22/status/1160556013151490048?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> GO TO THE BALL.
>
> — Sam Carrick (@SammyCarrick) [August 11, 2019](https://twitter.com/SammyCarrick/status/1160555758309781504?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Announce relegation.
>
> — Sebastian Rico. (@SebasAesthetics) [August 11, 2019](https://twitter.com/SebasAesthetics/status/1160555899129344001?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> 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](https://twitter.com/southern_magpie/status/1160556576899514368?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Never mind Bruce. That was Captain Lascelles doing his own thing. Shocking defending.
>
> — Dean (@Bix1985) [August 11, 2019](https://twitter.com/Bix1985/status/1160556165106941952?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Comedy defending
>
> — Stu (@StuartRitchie20) [August 11, 2019](https://twitter.com/StuartRitchie20/status/1160556093380190209?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> AND THE RELEGATION SEASON STARTS HEREEEEE [pic.twitter.com/zdqtve9muD](https://t.co/zdqtve9muD)
>
> — Jon Mac (@jon\_macd) [August 11, 2019](https://twitter.com/jon_macd/status/1160555735446622208?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

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.