Newcastle United supporters must have thought those days were finally over.
For years Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had been a thorn in their side during his previous spell at Arsenal from 2018-22.
But Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe had warned the 36-year-old “looked as good as ever” before Tuesday night’s Champions League encounter in Marseille.
Sure enough Aubameyang haunted Newcastle once again on the biggest stage of all, with his quickfire double turning the game on its head at the Stade Velodrome as the French side claimed a 2-1 comeback success.
It was a familiar story for Howe’s men as the visitors’ struggles on the road continued.
Just like their most recent away games against Brentford and West Ham, Newcastle took the lead. Just like at the Gtech Community Stadium and the London Stadium, they ultimately threw it away.
Defender Dan Burn called it “10 minutes of madness” and, while Howe clung to “positive signs”, this was another painful defeat.
“It leaves us a little bit bruised right this second, but we’ll come back,” said the frustrated boss. “We’ve got some great games ahead.
“This competition was never going to be straightforward for us. It was never going to be plain sailing.
“It’s the elite competition it is because you’re going to be challenged and stretched, and it will make us a better team for all these experiences.”
Yet it could have been so different after Newcastle initially handled a white-hot atmosphere so well by gaining the upper hand.
The noise levels were certainly deafening before kick-off – even referee Maurizio Mariani and the officials were loudly whistled when they emerged for the warm-up.
Flares were let off, ticker tape flickered in the air and a stunning tifo rose f
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