Newcastle United started the Steve Bruce era with a narrow defeat against Arsenal.
It was an afternoon in which Bruce’s players battled hard but they were undone by a piece of quality by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang combined with a lapse in concentration.
At the end of the game .
On another day, things could have dropped for the Magpies more kindly.
With Joelinton still finding his feet and some of the new boys requiring more time perhaps a defeat against Arsenal was inevitable.
But there were a few positives to clutch on to.
The game was played out in sodden conditions as the rain never eased off at St James’ Park and made life difficult for both sides.
But Newcastle rolled their sleeves up and got on with the job in hand.
Unsurprisingly, the contest started in frantic manner as neither side could get control of the ball.
However, once the game settled down the first chance came the way of the Magpies.
On 17 minutes Matt Ritchie crossed from the left and tried to pick out Joelinton but he could only flick the ball wide at the Leazes End.
Moments later, Miguel Almiron weaved into the box but was booked for diving by Martin Atkinson.
Newcastle then forced Arsenal keeper Bernd Leno into a save when Jonjo Shelvey rifled in an effort that was tipped on to the post.
It took the Gunners until the 24th minute to get a real glimpse of goal when the ball dropped for Henrikh Mkhitaryan but he blazed over.
Joelinton broke free into the box on 27 minutes but could only shoot at Leno.
Five minutes later, Arsenal had a great chance as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang picked the ball up on the left but Martin Dubravka blocked brilliantly.
Newcastle went in at half-time to warm applause after a solid first period.
But the visitors started to crank through the gears in the second half.
First Aubameyang saw a shot deflected over before the resultant corner zipped across the box.
Newcastle made a change on 53 minutes as Shelvey was replaced by Jetro Willems.
Although, the Dutchman suffered a difficult first taste of life in the Premier League.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles flew past him down the wing, after Willems failed to control Paul Dummett's pass, before crossing into the box for an unmarked Aubameyang to delicately control the ball and dink it past Dubravka.
Newcastle then threw on Allan Saint-Maximin got his top-flight now with Longstaff making way on 66 minutes.
The Frenchman certainly got fans off their seats with some excellent bursts forward down both flanks.
With seven minutes left he almost fashioned an equaliser but despite getting his shot in Leno gathered well.
As the game went into the last couple of minutes Joelinton fired a shot over the bar.
Newcastle pushed in the dying seconds but Arsenal’s quality allowed them to edge the game.
