LONDON – Arsenal's tumultuous season took another hit with a disheartening 2-0 defeat to Newcastle, intensifying discussions about what many are now calling a "cursed" campaign.

The result undermines hopes of silverware and raises questions about manager Mikel Arteta's ability to navigate through this crisis.

Despite creating over two expected goals against one of the Premier League's most formidable sides, Arsenal's finishing was critically unimpressive.

They seemed overly dependent on Martin Odegaard for creativity, often resorting to set pieces to generate chances.

Critics argue that Arteta's tactical approach has made the team cumbersome and overly cautious, minimizing their attacking prowess.

But what if there's more at play? Some fans are jokingly suggesting a hex on the team—an extraordinary level of bad luck that would leave other clubs green with envy.

This "Murphy's Law" season, where everything that could go wrong has done so, has left supporters pondering whether a mysterious curse looms over the Emirates.

This season has seen Arsenal's prolific set-piece capabilities frustratingly squandered.

Players missed glaring chances, with the ball often bouncing in ways that defy logic—like a missed header from Havertz that perfectly encapsulated the uncanny misfortune haunting the team.

Striker Alexander Isak shone brightly for Newcastle, scoring one goal and setting up another, demonstrating the type of efficiency Arsenal desperately lacked.

Despite dominating the game on paper—23 shots to Newcastle's seven, 3.12 xG to 1.22, and a staggering 69% possession—Arsenal's inability to capitalize resulted in yet another defeat.

After the match, Arteta lamented the inefficiency of his side: “The reality is they were super efficient with the chances they had, we weren't.

That's the difference at this level. But I believe we can still turn this around.”

Injuries have also played a significant role in Arsenal's struggles.

Key players like Odegaard and Bukayo Saka have faced extensive time on the sidelines, while a slew of injuries to defenders has forced young talents like Myles Lewis-Skelly to step up under tremendous pressure.

Moreover, Arsenal fans have expressed outrage over contentious refereeing decisions that have largely gone against them.

Odegaard’s situation is symbolic of Arsenal's overall predicament; one minute he displays the talent of a future star, showcasing artful plays and creativity, the next, he is struggling with injuries and form.

This inconsistency has been reflective of the entire team's campaign.

Such misfortune could have been mitigated by prioritizing acquisitions in the summer transfer window.

While other clubs have bolstered their squads with elite talent, Arsenal’s pursuit of a prolific forward has yet to bear fruit.

With ambitions still high this season, they could have made a bold move for a player like Isak, who would add much-needed firepower to the frontline.

However, not all is bleak.

Arsenal remains a formidable contender for top-four finishes in the Premier League and has a solid chance to advance deep into the Champions League.

Arteta asserted that, despite the challenges, the team is currently positioned well, saying, “We are in a better place compared to last season, and we’re still competing with the best.”

Looking ahead, the worst-case scenario for Arsenal might involve finishing the season without a trophy but still securing a Champions League berth—Opta estimates a 98.75% chance of qualification through their league performance.

While this statistical likelihood offers a glimmer of hope, it does little to ease the pain of felt disappointment among fans who believed this could be the year of triumph.

As Arsenal navigates through this roller coaster of a season, the question remains: Will luck ever swing back in their favor?

If fate has indeed turned its back on the Gunners, who can truly say what it takes to break this curse?

Keep your eyes peeled for what’s sure to be a thrilling conclusion to what has already been an unpredictable campaign!