Steve Bruce has suggested that Allan Saint-Maximin got “frustrated” and played too deep against Arsenal at St James’ Park.
Newcastle were well off the pace against Arsenal as Mikel Arteta’s side controlled the game.
Mohamed Elneny and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored in either half to earn Arsenal all three points.
FEATURE: Early loser – Newcastle, failing to lay a glove on rudderless Arsenal
Fabian Schar was sent off for the Magpies late on for a late challenge on Gabriel Martinelli. This made an already disappointing afternoon even worse as they only registered one shot on target against the Gunners.
With this defeat, Newcastle are still nine points clear of 18th-placed Fulham with four games to go. Bruce told BBC Sport after the game that Saint-Maximin’s magic “was not quite there” against Arsenal:
“We’re disappointed because we haven’t got near the performances of late. Arsenal played well. It’s a poor goal after four minutes. When you’re chasing against these lads it’s always going to be difficult. Arsenal were the better side today it was as simple as that.
“We are delighted to see we are a bigger threat. Allan Saint-Maximin in the last few weeks has produced all sorts of magic but it wasn’t quite there today. We’ve never thought [we’re safe]. We have four games left and we still have a lot to play for. We didn’t play well enough today against a decent Arsenal team. We have to regroup, go again and get ready for next week.
“It was simply that service to [the attackers]. I think Allan probably played too deep. He was a little frustrated and got too deep.
Bruce on Fabian Schar’s red card: “The way it is at the moment and the rules are… There’s no tackles anymore. I don’t think it deserves a red. Maybe it’s a yellow.
“Is it dangerous? Not really. We’re playing Arsenal so you have to get into them. When that stops it becomes very difficult.
“I have sympathy for Fabian Schar. He tries to win the tackle. Maybe a yellow card but certainly not a red.”
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