After the postponement of their Boxing Day game against West Ham, Arsenal will look to continue their good run of form when the Magpies travel to the Emirates on Saturday.
With 3 consecutive wins in the league, Arsenal will fancy their chances against a Newcastle side who have taken just 6 points out of the 24 available in their previous 8 games.
The ‘new look’ Arsenal
As a result of the recent injury to Olivier Giroud, Wenger was forced into making a change to the front three. Miraculously, Gervinho was dropped to the bench with Theo Walcott being given a chance as a striker accompanied by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Lukas Podolski on each wing.
This new attack reminiscent of quick Arsenal sides of the past, thumped five past what was a poor Reading side, but gave Arsenal fans hope. Quick, technical players all made runs for each other and as a result, space was created for the highly influential Santi Cazorla who went onto score a hat-trick.
Problems for the Magpies
Much has been made of the fact that since Alan Pardew signed a new eight-year contract on September 27th; the club have struggled for results – only taking 12 points from the 42 available in the 14 games played. However, I refuse to believe that this is the prime factor for their poor run of form.
A long term injury that will keep Yohan Cabaye out until the new year, as well as other minor injuries to key players such Jonas Gutierrez, Vurnon Anita and Hatem Ben Arfa have hit the club hard.
Team News
Arsenal will welcome back Olivier Giroud and Tomas Rosicky to the squad, after both have recovered from illness. Fans will also be glad to hear that Abou Diaby is set to return to training on Monday along with Andre Santos.
Yohan Cabaye, Jonas Gutierrez, Vurnon Anita, Hatem Ben Arfa, Steven Taylor, Ryan Taylor and Dan Gosling are all out with injuries. Newcastle’s best player of the season so far, Mike Williamson, is suspended after picking up his 5th yellow card on Wednesday. The only piece of good news for Newcastle fans is that they can welcome back combative midfielder, Cheick Tiote from suspension.
Tactics
Due to the fact that they are missing several key attacking players I think that Newcastle will sit back and look to hit us on the counter. I also expect them to take a lot of shots from range - they certainly have to capability to do so with players such as Ba and Tiote. Their other main attacking threat will be from set pieces with Coloccini and Ba being key focal points.
In regards to Arsenal, I expect us to start well. After the cancellation of the Boxing Day game against West Ham, we will have had the full week to rest, unlike Newcastle.
If Wenger, opts for the same starting XI then it will all be about pace. Players will have to make runs for each other. We should be looking to get Walcott in behind as often as possible due to the fact Newcastle don’t have a quick back four. They are also weak down the wings so I expect Podolski and especially Oxlade-Chamberlain to have a big impact.
Key players
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – after his man of the match performance against Wigan, fans will hope he can continue with his good run of form. He will be up against Davide Santon who has looked rather shaky of late, so I think Alex will fancy his chances.
Per Mertesacker – our most reliable performer of the season will have to be on his game tomorrow when he comes up against Demba Ba. It is vital that he remains strong in the air.
Demba Ba – with 11 goals this season, he will be Newcastle’s biggest threat. It is important that we deal with him strongly.
Gael Bigirimana - at just 19 years of age, the midfielder will hope to continue his form after impressing in Newcastle’s defeat to Manchester United. He may be small but he certainly doesn’t shy away from a tackle as well as being a good technical player.
Possible line-ups
Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Arteta, Wilshere, Cazorla, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Walcott, Podolski.
Newcastle: Krul, Simpson, Perch, Coloccini, Santon, Bigirimana, Tiote, Marveaux, Cisse, Ba, Obertan.
COYG!
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