The Newcastle United forward should have started against the Gunners.
Newcastle United’s stuttering season went from bad to worse when they lost 1-0 away to Arsenal on Saturday, with Magpies manager Rafa Benitez’s team selection again coming under the spotlight.
While the misfiring Joselu started at the Emirates Stadium, fellow Newcastle striker Dwight Gayle had to make do with a place on the bench despite being arguably the only Magpies player capable of seizing his chance against the Premier League’s top sides.
Gayle has already proved it this season, scoring away against both Manchester United and Chelsea and, with just one goal deciding Saturday’s game, the former Crystal Palace man could have been the difference between one point and none.
The 27-year-old did come on with a quarter of the game remaining, but Newcastle should have played him from the outset and hit on the counter-attack, as they did so effectively when taking the lead at both Old Trafford and Stamford Bridge.
Benitez’s side may have ultimately lost those games, but Gayle proved his worth, so why did the Spaniard opt to bench him after just one blank against Everton?
Prior to that the Newcastle forward had scored against both the reigning champions and former title winners Leicester City in quick succession.
On such decisions is relegation decided and Gayle should be starting whenever he is fit for a Newcastle side that needs every goal they can get.
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