‘This is not how great clubs win games. They were only yesterday that my key players were injured, if not who is Arsenal in front of Newcastle’: Newcastle manager Eddie Howe discloses the alarming reasons behind their failure yesterday.

Eddie Howe admits Newcastle United’s defensive record is a source of concern after they conceded four goals away to Arsenal on Saturday night.

The Gunners led 4-0 after an own goal by Sven Botman, followed by goals from Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka, and Jakub Kiwior, until substitute Joe Willock added a late consolation.

Newcastle’s 20 goals conceded in 2024 are the most in the English top league. When asked about the defensive record, Howe responded, “Every game in which we concede goals is cause for concern.” Of course, we’re working on a lot of things behind the scenes to try and prove that it wasn’t visible in today’s performance.

“There was a real combination of things today, we didn’t defend set plays well enough – two goals conceded from corners when we knew their threat. And the third goal as well was a huge disappointment because at that moment we were the dominant team and right in the game. Difficult moments defensively for us.”

Howe continued: “I keep saying the same thing about conceding goals. It’s a collective. Last year, we had the collective mentality that we were not going to give up. Even when the game came here last year, we were outstanding in collective defense from front to back.

“I don’t believe we’ve lost our desire to achieve it. We’re simply not as good at it right now as we once were. “We need to improve that solidity.”

Howe’s side sit seventh in the Premier League, but they haven’t won at the Emirates since 2010.