Joe Hart claims player Eddie Howe tried to replace at Newcastle is doing ‘sensational’ things

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Eddie Howe will be rethinking one transfer decision at Newcastle United after one player impressed during the 2-1 loss against Arsenal.

Summer signing Nick Woltemade opened the scoring at St James’ Park to mark his second Premier League goal in three outings since his summer arrival from VfB Stuttgart.

However, Tino Livramento was stretchered off as the Magpies face a nervous wait for news on his condition, and the Gunners scored two goals in the final ten minutes, including a 96th-minute goal by Gabriel Magalhaes to hand Howe another defeat.

Newcastle were on the defensive for the rest of the clash on Sunday following Woltemade’s opener and were ultimately undone by a trademark Arsenal set-piece routine.

Now, ex-Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart has told Howe that one player he attempted to replace this summer produced a noteworthy display in the North East.

Nick Pope produced a near Man of the Match display for Newcastle

Speaking on Match of the Day, Hart said that goalkeeper Nick Pope would have been the Man of the Match had Arsenal not found two late goals.

“Nick Pope would have been Man of the Match had this game finished in the 80th minute, but it didn’t, we all know that. My point is that they were playing well, they were knocking on the door.

“Pope was making sensational saves, Eze looked dangerous, Arsenal looked a real threat, but they just kept knocking on the door, but they just couldn’t quite unlock it, and it took something special.”

After long-term target James Trafford returned to Man City, Newcastle signed Aaron Ramsdale on a season-long loan deal from Southampton to provide worthwhile competition for Pope.

While the former Arsenal shot-stopper has yet to start in the Premier League, Pope has responded to the increased competition at St James’ Park with a scintillating performance against the Gunners.

Pope denied Viktor Gyokeres a clear opportunity in the first half, and despite referee Jarred Gillett pointing to the spot, VAR overturned the decision as the goalkeeper won the ball before taking down the Swede.

The 33-year-old has established himself as one of the best in his position in the Premier League since arriving at Newcastle in 2022, but Pope has received intense scrutiny, and he finds himself in the firing line once again as he was outmuscled by William Saliba and unable to prevent Arsenal’s match-winner.

Eddie Howe cannot blame Nick Pope for Arsenal’s winning goal

Pope is likely to be the scapegoat at St James’ Park, with the Magpies now only two points above the relegation zone following the defeat.

Although Newcastle held the lead until the 84th minute, the hosts were far too negative and appeared more concerned with protecting their slender lead than doubling their advantage.

This allowed Mikel Arteta’s men to launch a barrage of attacks, which, of course, eventually breached the defence and cost the hosts what would have been a monumental three points.

While the chaos of the summer transfer window restricted the Magpies from hitting the ground running in the Premier League, ‘the side have had nearly a month to settle, and now, Howe faces a must-win clash against Nottingham Forest with the pressure building in the North East.