Another weekend of Premier League action has come and gone, and for Newcastle United, the story is a frustratingly familiar one.
A match that seemed to be heading for a valuable point ended in the agony of a late defeat, this time at the hands of a determined Arsenal side.
The final score of 2-1, sealed by a stoppage-time winner from Gabriel, leaves Eddie Howe and his team with a growing sense of concern. With just three points from their first six league games, the need for solutions is urgent.
While the entire team will be dissecting what went wrong in the closing stages, one of the most pressing questions revolves around the lineup itself. Specifically, the performance of Dan Burn has become a major talking point among fans and pundits.
The local stalwart, a figure often celebrated for his commitment, endured a notably difficult afternoon against the Gunners. His struggles were amplified by a tactical decision from Howe that saw the towering 6-foot-7 defender deployed in a left-back role, with Malick Thiaw and Sven Botman occupying the central defensive positions.
This shift to the flank exposed some of Burn’s limitations, especially when facing a winger of Bukayo Saka’s caliber.
The Arsenal attacker seemed to find joy running at Burn, who was dribbled past three times during the contest. For a player of his size and experience, that is a concerning statistic.
Furthermore, his use of the ball was problematic; he gave up possession 26 times, handing momentum and opportunities to an Arsenal attack that grew in confidence as the game wore on.
The most painful moment, however, came with Arsenal’s late winner. Despite his significant height advantage, Burn was beaten in the air by Gabriel, who powered home the decisive goal. It was a sequence that summed up a day to forget for the defender.
However, the spotlight doesn’t shine on Burn alone. In the heart of midfield, Joelinton also failed to deliver his typically powerful and influential performance.
The Brazilian, who has become a fan favorite for his combative style, was uncharacteristically subdued. His statistics from the match paint a clear picture of a player who struggled to get a foothold in the game.
The numbers below highlight the extent of his difficult outing against Arsenal’s midfield:
| Stat | Joelinton’s Performance |
|---|---|
| Minutes played | 89 |
| Goals scored | 0 |
| Assists | 0 |
| Shots | 1 |
| Touches | 40 |
| Accurate passes | 21/31 (68%) |
| Possession lost | 13 times |
| Total duels won | 3 out of 15 (23%) |
As the table shows, Joelinton was largely ineffective. Managing only 40 touches fewer than even goalkeeper Nick Pope indicates he was struggling to connect with the game.
Most telling is his success rate in duels. Winning only three of his fifteen physical contests, a mere 23%, is a stark drop from his seasonal average of 44%.
This inability to impose himself physically against the tandem of Mikel Merino and Declan Rice meant Newcastle often lost the battle in the middle of the park. He offered little threat going forward, mustering just one shot, and his passing was often wayward.
This is not the first time Joelinton has found a big game challenging. In last month’s Champions League fixture against Barcelona, he was similarly off the pace, managing only 27 touches before being substituted after 62 minutes.
A pattern seems to be emerging where the Brazilian struggles to make an impact against high-quality, technical midfields.
Following the match, the Shields Gazette’s post-player ratings reflected this view, handing Joelinton a low 5/10 and noting his mistimed challenges as a particular issue.
With such a poor collective result, changes for the upcoming Champions League trip to Royal Saint-Gilloise seem not just likely, but necessary.
The dramatic nature of the loss will have taken a lot out of the squad, both physically and mentally. This could be an opportune moment for Howe to rotate his team.
Giving a player like Joelinton a breather could be the best course of action. It would allow him to reset and work his way back to the formidable form he is known for. In his place, Howe could turn to the energy of Joe Willock or the youthful composure of Lewis Miley.
Both players offer different qualities and could provide the freshness needed to spark a reaction. The same logic applies to Dan Burn. Loyalty to trusted players is a virtue, but with results not going the team’s way, a reshuffle might be the catalyst for change.
For a club with Newcastle’s ambitions, this early-season form is a cause for reflection. The defeat to Arsenal was about more than just two late goals; it highlighted specific tactical and performance issues that need addressing.
As the team prepares for a crucial run of games, Eddie Howe faces some big decisions. Sticking with the same lineup and hoping for a different result is a risky strategy.
Dropping underperforming stars, even if they are key figures, might be the difficult but necessary step to get Newcastle’s season back on track. The match in Belgium presents a chance to turn the page, and that may well begin with a changed teamsheet.
