Newcastle may have lost their opening Premier League match of the season, but winger Matt Ritchie feels there are plenty of reasons to remain upbeat.

Steve Bruce’s tenure as Newcastle manager got off to a losing start on Sunday, as the Magpies slumped to a 1-0 home defeat against Arsenal at St James’ Park.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s 58th-minute strike proved the difference between the two sides, with many people predicting that Newcastle are in for a season of struggle.

Scotland international Ritchie is remains upbeat, however, as he believes there were plenty of reasons to be positive despite Sunday’s loss, particularly the newly-formed partnership between club-record signing Joelinton and Miguel Almiron in the final third.

“I thought we performed really well in spells, we got into some really good areas,” Ritchie told NUFC TV. “We got into some good areas, created some in the final third – I thought Miguel and Joe were a real handful.

Miggy was fantastic throughout the whole game and I’m sure that will excite everyone involved with the club, so there are certainly positives to take.”

Summer signing Allan Saint-Maximin also impressed from the bench and Newcastle will be hoping they can take those positives into Saturday’s clash with newly-promoted Norwich at Carrow Road.

The Magpies are priced at 3.30 to win that match, while the Canaries are available at 2.20 and the draw is on offer at 3.40.