Ian Wright cannot understand why Steve Bruce is not playing one Newcastle player

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Newcastle’s slump continued on Monday as a dismal second-half showing saw Arsenal cruise to a 3-0 win – and Ian Wright has told Premier League Productions he cannot understand why Steve Bruce overlooks one player.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s goalscoring touch has seemingly returned after the Arsenal skipper netted twice on Monday night, brilliant opening the scoring after a delightful pass from Thomas Partey.

Bukayo Saka got Arsenla’s second before Aubameyang tapped in a third. Newcastle fielded an attacking side and looked better than their last showing in the first 45, but were powerless to avoid a second-half thrashing.

Joelinton started on the left, Miguel Almiron on the right, and both Andy Carroll and Callum Wilson up front. Matt Ritchie was left on the bench and Wright cannot understand why the £12million signing (Telegraph) did not start.

“I cannot understand why Matt Ritchie doesn’t play down that left-hand side,” Wright said. “He will work hard and get the ball in with some quality. He has the fight and endeavour that they need and I’m looking at Newcastle and I just can’t see it – I can’t see where it is going to come from.”

TBR’s view – Should Ritchie have started?

Newcastle’s abysmal recent form has seen them plunge into a relegation fight. Though they sit seven points above Brighton in 15th place, the Seagulls have a game in hand and have been playing better than their results show.

The Toon need to be looking over their shoulder and if they are to turn their form around, Bruce needs to play players that can fight for the club. Joelinton is not an example of that, Ritchie is. A no-brainer to start Ritchie.