He makes Woltemade look like a good signing: Howe must axe Newcastle flop who made 0 passes

Newcastle United extended their miserable run of form to four straight Premier League defeats after slipping to a narrow 1-0 loss against Arsenal at the Emirates on Saturday evening, a result that only deepens the growing concerns surrounding the club.

While it was far from a fluent or dominant display from the Gunners, it ultimately didn’t matter. The home side did just enough to grind out a vital victory, a result that temporarily lifted them back to the summit of the table. For Newcastle, however, the night painted a far gloomier picture. Eddie Howe’s side now find themselves languishing in 14th place, a position that reflects both their lack of confidence and their inability to turn performances into points. The pressure on Howe continues to build, with speculation around his long-term future refusing to disappear after yet another underwhelming display.

To Newcastle’s credit, the defeat wasn’t without resistance. At the heart of their performance, Sven Botman and Malick Thiaw delivered a committed and physical showing, standing firm against Arsenal’s attacking threats. Time and again, the defensive duo stepped in to disrupt the likes of Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyökeres, winning a combined flurry of duels and providing a solid backbone for the team. For large spells, it looked as though their efforts might be enough to earn Newcastle at least a point.

But football often hinges on moments of quality, and that decisive moment came courtesy of Eberechi Eze. The attacking midfielder unleashed a stunning long-range strike that flew beyond Nick Pope and into the net, breaking the deadlock in spectacular fashion. It was the kind of goal that leaves defenders helpless—and while Botman and Thiaw could do little about it, questions can still be asked about the lack of pressure applied in the build-up, particularly from Josh Murphy.

Murphy endured a frustrating evening down the flank, struggling to impose himself both offensively and defensively. He failed to register a single shot, did not complete an accurate cross, and was unable to beat his man at any point in the game. His inability to close down Eze before the goal only compounded an already disappointing performance, making his substitution midway through the second half an inevitable decision.

On the opposite side, Dan Burn also had a difficult outing. Tasked with containing the lively Noni Madueke, the experienced defender often found himself exposed, unable to match the winger’s pace and movement. His inclusion in the starting lineup raised eyebrows, particularly with the more dynamic Lewis Hall left unused on the bench—a decision that may further fuel debate over Howe’s current team selections.

Perhaps the most telling aspect of Newcastle’s struggles came in attack. Howe opted to hand Will Osula the responsibility of leading the line, but the young forward was largely anonymous throughout the contest. With just a handful of touches to his name, Osula was isolated and starved of service, highlighting the team’s lack of creativity and cohesion in the final third. His selection ahead of more established options also speaks volumes about the current uncertainty surrounding Newcastle’s attacking hierarchy.

That uncertainty is further amplified when looking at the club’s recent transfer business. The departure of Alexander Isak left a significant void, and Newcastle have yet to truly fill it despite heavy spending. Nick Woltemade, brought in for a substantial fee, has shown flashes of promise but remains inconsistent. Although he failed to find the net again, his brief cameo at the Emirates did at least offer a glimpse of his potential, as he unselfishly created a clear chance that could have rescued a point for the visitors.

Unfortunately for Woltemade, that opportunity fell to Yoane Wissa—and it was squandered. The former Brentford striker’s struggles since arriving on Tyneside continued, as he blazed the chance over the bar in what summed up his difficult spell at the club so far. Despite a lower transfer fee compared to Woltemade, Wissa’s impact has arguably been even more disappointing. Since his move, he has managed just a single Premier League goal, a return that falls well short of expectations.

Injuries may have disrupted Wissa’s early months, but his current performances suggest deeper issues. Against Arsenal, he failed to complete a single pass and was unsuccessful in all his attempted dribbles, making little to no impact after coming off the bench. It’s a worrying trend for a player who was expected to add sharpness and reliability to Newcastle’s frontline.

All of this leaves Howe with some serious decisions to make ahead of their next fixture against Brighton & Hove Albion. With confidence low and results not improving, the manager must find a way to reignite his side’s attacking threat while also tightening up key moments defensively.

As it stands, Newcastle look like a team searching for answers—both tactically and mentally. Their defensive resilience offers some hope, but without a cutting edge in attack and with key players underperforming, the road ahead appears increasingly uncertain. For Howe, time is becoming a luxury he may not have, and the visit of Brighton could prove to be another defining moment in a season that is quickly slipping away.