OPINION
Newcastle United midfielder Isaac Hayden has been one of the club’s standout performers in the second half of the season, but he came crashing down to earth in the 2-0 defeat to Arsenal on Monday night.
Given a chance to show his former club what he could do, the 24-year-old fluffed his lines in a performance that was out of character with what he has shown the Magpies faithful in recent months.
He just couldn’t get going, it was strange to see. Usually he is industrious and combative in the centre of midfield, but he couldn’t seem to get a grip of the game at all. Arsenal moved the ball too quickly for him and, when he did gain possession, his use of the ball wasn’t good enough.
This has to be considered a major disappointment for the player and for manager Rafael Benitez. Indeed, the former Gunner is surely set for a spell in the Spaniard’s bad books as a result of this mediocre display.
Ultimately he wasn’t the only player in black and white who failed to get going at the Emirates Stadium. It was a disappointing team performance, but Hayden, given his recent form, was one of the more surprising offenders.
It came out after the game that the Englishman was playing with a slight knock, but in that case Ki Sung-yueng or Jonjo Shelvey should have started in his place. Hayden chose to carry on and so he must be held responsible for his sub-par performance.
This was an unwelcome return to the Hayden that Newcastle fans had grown accustomed to before his recent renaissance: anonymous and ineffectual.
Benitez will be hoping that it was merely the injury that prompted this lacklustre showing. The Magpies supporters will be hoping the midfielder doesn’t make a habit of it, that’s for sure.
