Theo Walcott reveals what worries him most from Arsenal’s performance in Newcastle defeat – as Jamie Redknapp calls Mikel Arteta’s side ‘toothless’ without Bukayo Saka

Theo Walcott has highlighted what concerned him most with Arsenal’s defeat by Newcastle in the Carabao Cup.

Mikel Arteta’s side have been left with a mammoth task if they want to reach the final of the competition after losing 2-0 at the Emirates in their semi-final first leg tie on Tuesday night.

Goals from Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon mean the Gunners must go to St James’ Park and overturn a two-goal deficit to set up a final against either Tottenham or Liverpool.

But the cup is not the only competition Arsenal have had issues in. They are second in the Premier League table, but trail Liverpool, who have a game in hand, by six points.

Despite that, Arteta’s side have started to struggle more and more in front of goal, and will be without talisman Bukayo Saka for a number of months through injury.

And former Arsenal winger Walcott, speaking during Sky Sports’ coverage of Tuesday’s game, picked out where he thinks the Gunners are going wrong. 

The Gunners lost 2-0 at home and must overturn the deficit in order to reach the final

Walcott highlighted how he feels Arsenal are moving away from what they ‘are known for’

‘What worries me for Arsenal is they are getting excited about set pieces all the time rather than free flowing football, which they are known for,’ Walcott said. ‘We are shying away from it.

‘It was a very lackluster performance in the second half. It’s going away from free flowing football and creating chances.

‘It is a lack of confidence I think, I think there were a lot of nerves in the stadium.’

Saka could be out until the spring after undergoing surgery on his hamstring, and Arsenal must now find a way to replace his goal scoring and creativity.

Ethan Nwaneri seemed set for a run on the Gunners’ right flank and scored against Brighton, but picked up his own injury in the game and is set for a spell on the sidelines.

Gabriel Martinelli has been tried there, while Leandro Trossard played the majority of Tuesday’s match in Saka’s position.

Still, no choice has yet worked, and Arsenal have found themselves relying on set pieces for chance creation on occasion. Nine of their 39 Premier League goals this season have been from corners – a division high.

And Jamie Redknapp was pulling no punches when discussing the side’s struggles in Saka’s absence with a brutal analysis of the north London club.

Jamie Redknapp also branded Arsenal ‘toothless’ in the absence of key man Bukayo Saka

Saka is set to be out of action for a number of weeks after undergoing hamstring surgery

‘No shots on target for arsenal in the second half,’ Redknapp began. ‘It shows you without Saka they are toothless.

‘No pace in the team, they missed him so badly, didn’t have enough quality and didn’t look like they would ever get anything.’