Arsenal player ratings vs Newcastle as Mikel Merino and Leandro Trossard worst in awful display

Arsenal lost crucial ground in the title race with an awful display in a 1-0 defeat to Newcastle United at St. James' Park. The game got off to an awful start for the Gunners who fell behind inside the opening 15 minutes when Alexander Isak nodded in Anthony Gordon's superb cross.

The Gunners then never really going in the first half but could have been level when Mikel Merino's close-range was blocked on the line by Lewis Hall.

Arteta attempted to change things after the break by bringing on Ethan Nwaneri, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus. It was to no avail though as, apart from a late Declan Rice chance, Arsenal failed to create any notable scoring opportunities. Here's how football.london rated the Gunners individually in the game.

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David Raya: Claimed several crosses well in packed boxes. Not an awful lot he could have done about the goal, though. 6.

Thomas Partey: Struggled at right-back after a great game there against Liverpool. His poor header led to the goal, too. Better when moved to midfield but it was too late by then. 5.

William Saliba: Given a tough time by Isak, while Joelinton and Willock also caused him to sweat. Decent on the ball but not at his best one-vs-one. 5.

Gabriel: Having the Brazilian fit was a big boost for Arsenal. He was solid defensively on the day and also couldn't do much about the goal. 5.

Jurrien Timber: Couldn't do an awful lot about the goal after a brilliant ball from Gordon. Had a decent afternoon aside from that. Defended well and was on the ball a lot. 6.

Declan Rice: His usually excellent set piece delivery was off on the day. Did make a difference when moved into a more advanced role, though. Missed a fantastic late chance. 6.

Mikel Merino: Not the return to St. James' Park that he would have wanted. Nearly scored with shot cleared off the line but was peripheral away from set pieces and booked. 5.

Bukayo Saka: A quiet day for the England winger. A couple of moments in the first half but never really got on it enough in dangerous areas to cause problems. 6.

Gabriel Martinelli: A disappointing day at the office for the Brazilian. Struggled to ever really beat his man and never looked much of a goal threat. 5.

Leandro Trossard: A really poor afternoon for the Belgian. Never got his dribbling going and his passing was way off it. 5.

Kai Havertz: Offered very little on the day. Didn't win much against Burn or Schar. Failed to ever really get the ball down. One decent cross for Saka but little else. 5.

SUBSTITUTIONS -

Oleksandr Zinchenko: Failed to give Arsenal the security in possession he was brought on to achieve. Quite wasteful. 5.

Ethan Nwaneri: Buzzed around and increased Arsenal's attacking impetus with the formation change. Failed to create much in terms of chances, though, with only one real look at goal. 6.

Ben White: Came on too late for rating. n/a.

Gabriel Jesus: Came on too late for rating. n/a.

Jorginho: Came on too late for rating. n/a.