Bukayo Saka makes three-word demand to Arsenal team-mates after Newcastle defeat

Following a disappointing 1-0 loss to Newcastle, Bukayo Saka has encouraged his Arsenal teammates to stay united as the Gunners now trail Liverpool by seven points in the Premier League standings.

The defeat marked Arsenal’s third consecutive league match without a win, with earlier setbacks including a loss to Bournemouth and a draw against Liverpool.

Newcastle, despite their recent struggles, capitalized on an Alexander Isak header from an Anthony Gordon cross to secure victory. Arsenal’s offense was stifled, managing only one shot on target in the match, and the absence of captain Martin Odegaard due to injury was keenly felt.

Saka, stepping up as a leader, conveyed his determination through Instagram, stating, “We stick together!” Meanwhile, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta remained focused on the team’s resilience rather than their league position, emphasizing, “I understand that, but after eight, nine, or 10 games last year we didn’t [talk about it] and we won’t talk about it now. It’s about how you react to that. We’re not going to find the right words or answers to describe how we feel. We have to put it on that field on Wednesday night against Inter.”

Pressed on Arsenal’s title aspirations, Arteta clarified, “It’s not about the hope of winning the title, it’s about being our best selves every single week. Today we weren’t our best version.” He also dismissed the idea that title pressure is affecting their performance, explaining, “I didn’t feel that. I think I would have felt it at the beginning of the game. I didn’t have that feeling. What I did feel was that when we fell behind it we lacked threat and more capacity to go and hurt them.”

Arteta noted that inconsistency and frequent fouls—17 or 18 free-kicks—allowed Newcastle to disrupt Arsenal’s game rhythm. Former Arsenal captain Martin Keown voiced his concerns, saying, “There is still a long way to go in the season, but it is a long way back for Arsenal now. They only have themselves to blame for that. They have kept pace with City for the last two seasons, but they just were not at the races. It is going to be a difficult dressing room. Arsenal didn’t turn up, didn’t play like champions, and they are now nursing their wounds.”