Newcastle 2-1 Arsenal: 5 things we learned

(Photo credit: Jimmy McIntyre)

St James’ Park has been something of a bellwether ground for Arsenal in recent years. It was here where the Gunners let slip a four-goal lead in 2011. It was here, too, where they secured last-gasp qualification to the Champions League at Spurs’ expense two years later.

A miserable 2-1 defeat on Sunday offered a useful precis of Arsenal’s season. They were desperate all afternoon playing like a side whose eggs are nestled firmly in the Europa League basket. In a game that mattered a lot more to the home side, here are five things we learned.