problems for Newcastle continue with 3-1 loss to Arsenal

Newcastle's relegation woes continued as they lost to Arsenal 3-1 at St James' Park on Saturday afternoon. With the loss the Magpies now rest in the drop zone two points below Blackburn and look ahead to their next match against Chelsea after the international break.

The match was bathed in the most peculiar of decisions by Chris Hughton in which Michael Owen was out of the starting eleven. While their has been question over the strikers fitness level, to leave your leader and finest player out of the lineup is a choice that never should have been made. At this stage of the campaign and given the grave situation, the consequences of decisions are magnified and this one made little sense.

With Peter Løvenkrands taking Michael Owen in-place, alongside Obafemi Martins went forward and were setting the tone of the match through the early stage. After a series of spirited runs, fortune fell Newcastle's way as Manuel Almunia was adjudged to fouling Ryan Taylor in the area and the spot was pointed to. Oba Martins stepped up for the duties that Michael Owen would normally have but his effort was easily collected by the Gunner 'keeper. Matches are won and lost in the slightest momentum shifters and while it is impossible to say what "might" have happened, "if" is not the word you care to use in a relegation fight. However after the missed opportunity the match continued at breakneck pace with Newcastle looking nothing like a side at the bottom end of the table and more like on of year ago with glory on the minds of the faithful. In a series of fighting for your life challenges Steven Taylor, time after time saved the Newcastle goal before the break as the match went to the half without a score. After a scurry of activity Arsenal found the mark three minutes before the hour as Andrei Arshavin's free kick was headed-in by Nicklas Bendtner for the 1-0 lead. The mood around St James' Park took a dark turn down a lonely street but only a minute later a stunning bright light appeared as Oba Martin's rode in on rescue to bring the match even as he pestered the Arsenal defenders, creating a turnover and sent the ball into the net. Now level hope for points returned but those hopes were dealt a cruel blow as Arsenal's rich pedigree was stirred and they proceeded to find the net twice within the next ten minutes. The first came four minutes after the hour as Arsenal took advantage of a weakened Newcastle as Steven Taylor was receiving treatment and Abou Diaby split the defenders before thundering the ball in. Down by one Chris Hughton made the decision, sixty-five minutes late, to call upon Michael Owen. Unfortunately immediately thereafter Marseille native Samir Nasri found the back of the net to make it 3-1. Without further incident the match concluded and Newcastle now faces an uphill struggle to avoid relegation.