Arsenal faced a disappointing 2-0 defeat against Newcastle United in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final on Tuesday, struggling to convert their chances into goals. Despite creating opportunities, the Gunners lacked the finishing touch, allowing Newcastle to capitalize on their mistakes, with Alexander Isak shining through with a goal and an assist.

Several players underperformed, with Leandro Trossard drawing particular criticism. Starting on the right wing, Trossard had a challenging match, recording only 74% passing accuracy and losing possession 11 times. He failed to deliver any successful crosses, did not complete a dribble, and finished the game without a shot on target. His lackluster performance led to his substitution for Gabriel Jesus in the 60th minute, garnering a low rating of 5/10.

In light of Trossard’s struggles, many believe manager Mikel Arteta made an error in his selection. It may be time to reconsider Trossard’s position in the lineup, especially with a crucial FA Cup match against Manchester United on the horizon.

For the upcoming fixture, a suggested tactical adjustment would be to deploy Jesus on the right wing with Gabriel Martinelli on the left, while Kai Havertz, despite missing a significant chance against Newcastle, should be allowed to lead the attack against the Red Devils. With Arsenal aiming to bounce back, a strong performance in the FA Cup is essential to regain momentum and confidence.