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Arsenal’s inefficiency in attack has been a problem all season and now looks like costing them a Champions League placeAmid the hopelessness of Arsenal’s offering at Newcastle there was a five-minute spell midway through the first half when it seemed they might, just might, have come to their senses. Unsurprisingly Bukayo Saka was behind it: a darting run on to a give-and-go with Martin Ødegaard was straight out of his playbook but Dan Burn blocked the attempted finish; then there was a nip inside and a low shot that, although reasonably struck, did not overly trouble Martin Dubravka.Had Saka given Arsenal’s Champions League hopes fresh life from one of those glimmers, it would have been his 13th goal of the season in all competitions. He could yet add to his tally at home to Everton on Sunday but given he leads their goalscoring charts, mental gymnastics are not required to understand the problem. In peacetime football only one of Arsenal’s top scorers, Brian Kidd in 1975-76, has managed fewer than 12; on the previous occasion, in 1912-13, Charles Lewis scored four and Arsenal were relegated. Continue reading...