Arsenal

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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has also spoken to Premier League Productions after today's game:

"We deserved to lose today. I thought we started really well and were really dominant. We didn't defend the box well enough. Credit to them. They scored a great goal with a good ball.

"Then the game changes and you start to play a different game. You have to adapt and we didn't do that well enough. I am very frustrated.

"We got dragged into a game they are looking for constantly and we couldn't play the game that we wanted.

"We had two big chances - Mikel had a big one, Declan had a big one. We lacked answers."

On reacting to the defeat: "We can say whatever we want. We will struggle to find the words today. We have to show it on the pitch on Wednesday night.

"You have to be at your best every time to give yourself a chance to win".

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Arsenal defender William Saliba has been speaking to Premier League Productions after today's loss:

"We are all a bit sad because we wanted to win today. Unfortunately we didn't and we didn't play the game we wanted to play. We deserved to lose today I think.

"I think we didn't play how we wanted to play and they were good as well. It's OK, we are focused on the next week and it is not finished."

On the Newcastle goal: "I think it's a good goal, a really good cross and good finishing but we can always do better. Today they scored early and we were not able to equalise.

"We have to stick together. Last season we had one period like and we need to stay together and have the confidence to get out. We all believe we will come back."

On his own performance: "I have to be better than my last game. I was not so good. I have to be back at my good level. After I will be good we will better but I have to work to get back to my best level."

Jess Anderson
BBC Sport journalist

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It feels early in the season to be suggesting that Arsenal's title hopes are over but there is no doubt they have taken a serious dent.

Defeat by Newcastle at St James' Park means if Manchester City beat Bournemouth they will find themselves eight points off the top spot.

Perhaps more worryingly for Mikel Arteta was the performance.

The Gunners lacked creativity and failed to create clear-cut chances, registering just one shot on target across the 90 minutes.

For all of Arsenal's dominance in possession, Newcastle had the better of them and a brilliant defensive display from Eddie Howe's men combined with a super Alexander Isak goal was enough to seal three points for the hosts.

The absence of Martin Odegaard was keenly felt as ultimately, Arsenal did not show enough and they are now without a win in three Premier League matches.

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• In their five Premier League away games this season, Arsenal have had just 37 shots (7.4 per game); only Brentford (30 shots, 7.5 per game) have managed fewer shots on the road in the division this season.

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Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies

Follow reaction and read the match report

Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League matches this season, against a variety of guests.

For week 10 he takes on The Piano TV series winner Brad Kella.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

This is a bit of a grudge match after what happened when Arsenal went to St James' Park last season and lost to a controversial Anthony Gordon goal.

Newcastle are on a run of five league games without a win, but they have been a little unlucky during that spell. They are creating plenty of chances, but just not scoring enough of them.

I worry about Arsenal in the final third too, though, because they are wasteful as well.

The Gunners really need a win here to cling on to the tail of leaders Manchester City, but my gut feeling is that Newcastle will get something out of this game, and it has got a draw written all over it.

Brad's prediction: 2-2

I need Arsenal to lose this game but I'm not sure Newcastle will beat them, so I'm hoping for a draw.

Read the full predictions and have your say

Seven matches make up Saturday's Premier League action, and we will bring you every moment.

• Newcastle v Arsenal - 12:30

• Bournemouth v Manchester City

• Ipswich v Leicester

• Liverpool v Brighton - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Nottingham Forest v West Ham

• Southampton v Everton

• Wolves v Crystal Palace - 17:30 - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off 15:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction

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Are Arsenal and Liverpool the Premier League sides most adept with their use of substitutions?

With the impact off the bench never greater - last season, subs accounted for a sixth of all outfield playing time at some clubs and contributed a record 133 goals - the benefits of mastering changes are clear. The impact of Jhon Duran for Aston Villa this season is a further example.

And with all teams searching for marginal gains, it might not surprise you to learn that there is now specialist training for subs to ensure they are ready for whatever the game has to throw at them when they enter.

The BBC Football Extra newsletter this week spoke to Sammy Lander, who has pioneered the role of "substitutions coach" within English football. He started at AFC Wimbledon before going on to consult clubs at Premier League and international level.

Of the sides who are gaining from the most from their subs, Lander said: "Arsenal have been very successful in using their substitutes in drawing game states and often have a high number of points achieved from this game state with substitutes on the pitch.

"Across the last three seasons, Liverpool are quite comfortably clear as the team who have registered the most goal contributions from substitutes while Newcastle are fairly positive and consistent with impact across all game states, as are Brentford."

But what does a substitution coach do?

"A common misconception seems to be I just tell the subs when to go warm up - I wish it was that easy," he said. "In reality, my week consists of ensuring our substitutes feel tactically, technically, socially, physically and psychologically ready.

"Having players accept their role is a massive step - then, you can start to add layers that are physical, social, technical and tactical. Substitutes are often very reactive to the questions the game is posing, so having them ready for every possibility is important."

With players better prepared for their role, Lander says the in-match process is then akin to a card game.

"I perform a vast amount of in-game opposition analysis, looking at the granular details and trying to prepare every eventuality in what I refer to as my playbook," he said.

"This means having the right substitute - not always the best - ready for if that situation arises. Once we know the probabilities of these situations, I can start preparing processes that can prepare the substitutes for these.

"I liken the process to Top Trumps. Once your opponent makes a move, every card is beatable - but you just need to know your pack, the game, and then the appropriate card to choose and when to place it. A similar approach is what I take with substitutions."

And is the role of substitute now one with greater cache? Lander thinks so.

He added: "Rugby union coach Eddie Jones coined the term 'finishers' instead of substitutes and this was a huge progression, challenging the negative stigma that is typically associated with the word 'substitute'. We have added layers to this by introducing the term 'what finisher are you going to be?'

"We introduced tactical roles with psychological names. Therefore Jorginho at Arsenal might be a controller, a smoother, or a closer. Certain teams, depending on their tactical style, will require different names.

"All these names have a definition that allows for you to add process and identity to a substitute role, but also add direction and alignment."

And will we see players emerge who are purely specialist substitutes?

"Sometimes a player's profile might be more effective as a substitute and it's about recognising this and implementing in the right format - the when, how and where," Lander said.

"A little more frequently, my role is spent trying to help players produce their starting statistics as a substitute."

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Alex Howell
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Arsenal have a potential fixture clash involving their men's Carabao Cup quarter-final with Crystal Palace and the women's Champions League game with Bayern Munich.

The women's team are scheduled to play Bayern at home on Wednesday, 18 December.

Mikel Arteta's side have been drawn at home against Crystal Palace in the quarter-final of the Carabao Cup and the match is due to take place that same midweek.

Crystal Palace play Brighton on Sunday, 15 December - a match that had been scheduled to be broadcast on television. That presents a problem as if the cup match was moved to Tuesday, it would only give Palace 48 hours of recovery.

The cup fixture is also unable to be moved to the Thursday as Palace and Arsenal are scheduled to play each other on Saturday, 21 December in the Premier League at Selhurst Park.

Arsenal's neighbours Tottenham have also been drawn at home in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup, which presents another problem for schedulers.

Spurs and Arsenal do not play home matches at the same time, with agreements needing to be made on who gets the pick when situations like this arise in cup competitions.

Arsenal announced in the summer that the women's team would play three Champions League matches at Emirates Stadium if the team qualified for the group stage and games in the knockout stage would take place there too if the team progressed in the competition.

The BBC has contacted the English Football League, Arsenal and Crystal Palace and the schedule clash is being discussed.

Alex Howell
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Mikel Arteta has hinted that now could be the time when he starts to push exciting youngster Ethan Nwaneri.

Calls for the 17-year-old to get more minutes after his promising performances in the EFL Cup are growing.

Nwaneri, who is the youngest player to have played in the Premier League, has scored three goals in his two starts for Arsenal in the cup competition.

He has also made four substitute appearances in the Premier League and come on in big games against Tottenham and Liverpool.

"I think the biggest thing is to push him and then when he is pushing you grab him from behind to make sure he is stable and protected," said Arteta.

"This talent you have to push him. Protection is necessary, keeping an eye on him but he needs to see that he can go and fly and not cut his wings."

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Earlier, we asked you to identify the former Arsenal player from their Premier League statistics playing for the club.

The correct answer was Aaron Ramsey.

On BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, Newcastle United defender Dan Burn discusses Arsenal's recent success before the two sides go head-to-head in the Premier League on Saturday.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says that he must manage Ethan Nwaneri's development as the 17-year-old begins to make a name for himself at the club.

"At 17 years old to be in the position he is, in one of the biggest clubs in Europe sums up his level," said Arteta.

"At the moment he wants it a lot and he is surrounded by the right people.

"It is rare to see talent like this at 17 years old. When he made his debut in the Premier League, he was good. We know the pathway we want with him and we want to send him a message of how much we trust him and believe in him."

Arteta also believes that the journey of Bukayo Saka provides motivation for younger players at the club, to follow his example.

"I think it creates belief in the journey," he added. "Our players see there is a pathway that they have opportunities and if they earn it, they will be treated like the rest.

"I was lucky because someone trusted me at that age, and that is what you need as well. You have to be surrounded by the right team and players, and then you can be successful."

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Newcastle (kick-off 12:30 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Arteta respects Newcastle: "Their position after nine games is tricky and they are a fantastic team. They are well-coached, intense and it is a great stadium to play in and we are looking forward to it."

• He has put his outburst towards the officiating in last year's match at St. James' Park behind him: "It is part of the past and part of the situation that happened that you learn from it and take positives. We move on. My intention is to say what I feel on the day. The referees are trying their best."

• The Arsenal boss puts the increase in injuries down to two things: "I think there are two aspects. One, I think we are quite unlucky and then obviously the demands on the players every week. All the restrictions that are hitting the squads means you can't have that big squads and it is quite difficult to manage."

• Introducing meditation has aided him and his side: "I just want the best for the team and want to give the team the best chance to win games. We need to adapt to the rule changes and as well, I try to. I don't want to miss any games. I can't promise you that if we score a goal I won't be jumping down the touchline. Hopefully, they have adapted and realised emotions are a big part of the game."

• Martin Odegaard is nearing a return: "Now is the stage when he is going to start doing certain work with us and see how he deals with pain. He is physically now at the level that he is ready to compete. He looks ready so hopefully soon."

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Guess the former Arsenal player from their Premier League statistics at the club:

• Years at club: 2008-2019

• Position: Midfielder

• Appearances: 262

• Goals: 40

Answer will be revealed at 17:00 GMT

Brentford will demand £60m for 25-year-old Cameroon forward Bryan Mbeumo in the January transfer window, amid interest from Arsenal. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer news? Read Friday's full gossip column

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Arsenal are up there in terms of challenging for the Premier League title this season but if they want to do it then dealing with injury issues is something they will have to do.

The best clubs adapt and find ways to win even when their best players are out.

That is what sets Manchester City apart to everyone else. When they have injuries to key players they have been able to find other players who can slot into their system nicely. They had Kevin de Bruyne and Erling Haaland out for a long period of time last season but they still went on to win the league.

If Arsenal want to be serious in their hunt for a title then they have to do the same as the reigning champions.

Fara Williams was speaking to BBC Sport's Katie Stafford

Alex Howell
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Arsenal secured a comfortable win against Preston North End to secure a place in the quarter-final of the Carabao Cup and set up a tie with Crystal Palace.

The match was near perfect for Mikel Arteta as Gabriel Jesus scored his first goal since January, academy graduate Ethan Nwaneri continued to impress with an excellent goal, his side secured a clean sheet and he was able to give debuts to youth players Tommy Setford and Ayden Heaven.

With Setford and Heaven coming on, Arsenal have now used eight teenagers in matches this season.

Bukayo Saka was also able to get about 30 minutes of football as he continues to build up to full match fitness after returning from injury in the Liverpool match.

The Gunners are still dealing with some injury issues and Riccardo Calafiori has been ruled out for a few weeks.

Centre-back Gabriel limped out of the Liverpool match but sources around the club say his injury is not as bad as first feared. Ben White also missed the game at Deepdale but his absence was more of a precaution and he looks to be available for the Premier League match at Newcastle on Saturday.

Newcastle are not in great form in the league but after picking up a win against Chelsea in the cup, it is still a tough test for Arteta's side with the full fixture calendar and squad concerns he has.