Alan Shearer believes Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe will now recognise it will take a 'mammoth effort' to keep the Magpies in the Premier League.
Howe was in the dugout at the Emirates Stadium but was unable to prevent his side succumbing to a 2-0 defeat on Saturday afternoon.
Second-half strikes from Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli settled a contest which the hosts dominated throughout.
Jonjo Shelvey's saw a long-range effort tipped on to the bar by Aaron Ramsdale, but the Magpies otherwise struggled to threaten Mikel Arteta's side.
It is a results which means Newcastle remain winless in 14 matches in all competitions this season, and could see the Magpies fall eight points adrift of safety by the time they host Norwich City on Tuesday night.
Shearer initially posted there were a 'lot of good things' to take from United's first-half display, which saw the visitors go into the break level after a remarkable miss from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
However, the overall performance and result means the Magpies' record goalscorer believes it will take a huge turnaround for Howe to lead the the team to safety.
Shearer posted: "If Eddie didn’t know, he does now, it’s going to take a mammoth effort to keep this team in the PL."
One fan replied: "Howe will do it, it will be hard. But I think we'll stay up...but need good recruitment in January.
"Then there will be mass changes in the team and squad in the summer."
Another supporter commented: "Too many years of neglect, next two games are really crucial 3pt games, as without two wins Toon will be too far adrift even for a miracle to occur.
"Build a team to bounce back up is only other option if don't pick up 6pts."
