It was a harsh ending to the game for Newcastle United<\/a>, who had caused the Gunners a series of problems up until that point.\u00a0<\/p>\n Though it wasn\u2019t exactly a vintage display, Newcastle were defending well until Arsenal\u2019s late show. <\/p>\n Pope<\/a> was largely brilliant throughout the game, but Ferdinand<\/a> believes he was in part at fault for the defeat.\u00a0<\/p>\n It does seem somewhat harsh on Pope but when a game is decided on fine margins, even players who played well come under the microscope. <\/p>\n Ferdinand believes Pope was wrong to launch a late counter, which eventually led to Arsenal\u2019s winner. <\/p>\n The former Burnley stopper tried to play a long ball to Anthony Elanga but that was cut out. Arsenal then attacked, won a corner, and subsequently scored. <\/p>\n \u201cWhen he picks the ball up here, what I don\u2019t understand is Elanga is going up against three [players] \u2013 it\u2019s not like he\u2019s 1v1 with someone,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n Of the goal, Ferdinand added: \u201cPope gets caught in no man\u2019s land.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n “Newcastle were the creators of their own downfall!”<\/p>\n Jamie Redknapp and Les Ferdinand on the Magpies’ poor game management in the closing stages pic.twitter.com\/FOb481TJTW<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 28, 2025<\/a> <\/p>\n View Tweet<\/p>\n Eddie Howe was angry with Nick Pope <\/p>\n It wasn\u2019t only Ferdinand who appeared bemused by Pope\u2019s decision-making.\u00a0<\/p>\n As per journalist Daniel Storey on social media platform X, Eddie Howe<\/a> was angered by Pope\u2019s attempt to play Elanga in.\u00a0<\/p>\n Had he simply sat on the ball, Newcastle could well have run down the clock.\u00a0<\/p>\n He’s been brilliant all day, but that starts with Nick Pope angering Eddie Howe by kicking out in a rush straight to an Arsenal player. No idea what he’s doing<\/p>\n![\"Gabriel](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/GettyImages-2237608892-1024x683.jpg\")
Photo by Ed Sykes\/Sportsphoto\/Allstar via Getty ImagesLes Ferdinand slams Nick Pope \u00a0<\/p>\n