William Saliba responds to claims Arsenal are already out of title race after Newcastle defeat | Football

Having pushed Manchester City to the final day of last season, an out-of-sorts Arsenal are yet to hit their stride this term, winning just five of their opening ten matches in the English top flight.

The Gunners travelled to St James’ Park in desperate need of a morale-boosting victory – after dropping points in their previous two matches – but Alexander Isak had other ideas, heading home the only goal of the game in the 12th minute.

The visitors simply had no answer and managed just one shot on target across the entirety of the contest, with the Magpies deservedly securing maximum points to move to ninth in the table.

Mikel Arteta’s men, meanwhile, missed the chance to close the gap on top-of-the-table Manchester City and trail the champions by five points. Pep Guardiola’s men will look to increase their lead at Bournemouth this afternoon.

‘We are all a bit sad because we wanted to win today,’ Arsenal defender Saliba told TNT Sports shortly after the final whistle in Newcastle.

‘Unfortunately we didn’t and we didn’t play the game we wanted to play. We deserved to lose today I think.

‘I think we didn’t play how we wanted to play and they were good as well. It’s OK, we are focused on the next week and it is not finished.’

Saliba called on Arsenal’s squad to regroup and ‘stay together’ to ensure the wheels do not come off their title charge at this early stage of the campaign.

‘I think it’s a good goal, a really good cross and good finishing but we can always do better. Today they scored early and we were not able to equalise,’ the Frenchman added.

‘We have to stick together. Last season we had one period like and we need to stay together and have the confidence to get out.

‘We all believe we will come back.’

On his own performance, Saliba continued: ‘I have to be better than my last game. I was not so good.

‘I have to be back at my good level. After I will be good we will better but I have to work to get back to my best level.’

Arsenal will look to get back to winning ways on Wednesday night when they return to Champions League action away to Inter Milan at the San Siro.

The Gunners then head to bitter rivals Chelsea for what promises to be an intriguing London derby at Stamford Bridge next weekend.