After sharing the spoils in each of their last four Premier League outings, Arsenal will be looking to get back to winning ways when they host Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium this afternoon. Both clubs are level on 31 points in the league standings; 11th and 12th-place respectively.
Having our feet stuck in the midtable mud is far from ideal for a club of Arsenal’s stature but to be fair to Mikel Arteta, a lot of what went wrong this campaign precedes his arrival and what he is trying to achieve is something that lasts beyond a quick-fix.
A positive thus far is our defence being more structured, without being setup to defend from deep. In recent weeks the much-maligned Shkodran Mustafi particularly has come a long way, playing some of his best football. He’s a smart guy though and will know that even with Arteta having only good things to say about him, he still has some way to go before winning over a fanbase that are very reluctant to give him his dues.
A cause for concern now is our misfiring attack, and it’s not like they’re short of goal scoring opportunities but just lacking confidence. Be that as it may, hopefully their time out in the desert was just the right tonic. There’s already two-thirds of the season gone, so if we want to keep hope alive of a top-six finish they have to get their mojo back because we simply have to beat the Geordies.
Newcastle will be making this trip to North London with ideas of their own, which does not include being pushovers. They’re on a current eight-match unbeaten run across all competitions, with an excellent 1-0 win over Chelsea the highlight in that run.
Steve Bruce do seem to have a certain blueprint when coming up against “the better sides”. It’s one of those where instead of going for a win, he just set his team up to be very hard to break down and on the odd occasion even gets a smash-and-grab. It’s a formula with varied success but against the top-six sides they’ll take what they can.
The Geordies got their issues but their fans can be relatively pleased at this stage of the season, enjoying a seven-point cushion over the bottom-three. A further nine points from their last 13 games should be enough to ensure survival and give them something to build on.
Arsenal have a good head-to-head record versus Newcastle, winning 13 of the last 14 encounters. That includes seven straight home wins in which we outscored them 20 goals to five. Hopefully we extend on that.
Team news
Sead Kolasinac is expected to return to the lineup after his recovery from injury. Reiss Nelson is also back and could make the bench.
With Arsenal short of goals Arteta may consider bringing Nicolas Pépé back in, to likely replace Alexandre Lacazette who hasn’t scored a goal in his last eight starts.
New signings Cédric Soares is still nursing a knee injury, while Pablo Mari may have to wait till later in the week to make his debut with our Europa League trip to Olympiakos.
As for Newcastle, they got quite a long injury list but we might get to see a familiar face with Danny Rose expected to make his debut at left-back.
Prediction
In games following a break teams usually struggle for fluency, over hitting passes and the timing of runs not quite there; and this afternoon may be no different. So with Bruce well aware of his sides miserable record against the Gunners he may just opt to keep things tight for as long as he can, hoping to catch us against the run of play.
However, the Arsenal could grow stronger as the game goes on with their class eventually coming through in the latter stages to just do enough to keep all three points at the Emirates. Therefore, I foresee a home win, yet low scoring affair. COYG!
— @LaboGoon
Positively Arsenal 
And that’s what I call a decent preview, thanks to Labo. Also our first preview following the long-awaited mid-season break, so a bit of history being made there.
Normally I’d be punting for a home win but Labo is right to warn our form has traditionally taken a knock following any kind of break including international ones.
But these are not traditional times.
Throw into the mix the ongoing second Storm of the Century presently playing out across the south (and beyond) and you have a wild yet authentic recipe for a slice of Unpredictability Pie.
Anything could happen (but I’m still going for a red win at the end of a very, very windy day).
Some years back, the venerated Comments section of PA and Yogi’s Warrior’s A Cultured Left Foot, was flooded, week in, month out, with discussion (much of it heated) about what Financial Fair Play was all about, what it meant for the clubs at the time – and in the future.
I was personally hopeful it would bring clubs like Chelsea to heel (which it appears to have done) but was frustrated by the amount of time it has taken to take on the likes of Sheik funded City. But the day of reckoning has finally, finally arrived, even for them, and much as they will not like it, forceful speculation is presently washing all over them in relation to points deductions, removal of their previous honours, dishonourably gained, fines and so on. The break up of the current side both pitch side and by the side of the pitch is not beyond fanciful, as the likes of Pep and the boys can hardly be expected to absent themselves from the Champions League for more than a few months. How the mighty appear be about to have fallen. And no, I have zero sympathy for them.
I just wish our lost friends – including Yogi – were still around to see this splendid, albeit somewhat tardy, day.
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I hope Mikel doesn’t play a ball carrier(Guendouzi) in preference to Torreira.
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Wow. A great post from Labo followed up by more brilliance from Andrew. The City business certainly throws into question the cry for owners of clubs to show ambition and spend what it takes – and maybe, just maybe, the painstaking work done to improve our training facility and youth set-up will also bear fruit if the UK’s decision to leave the EU affects the ability of clubs to buy in ready made (but not yet internationally known) young players from across Europe.
But all that is for the future: of more immediate concern is getting results to match the improvement in our form since the egregious Emery left the building. As Labo says, today is as good a time as any to start.
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If Mikel does play anyone instead of anyone else then I can only imagine he has his reasons, and that they come from a better place than mine. Although having said that, even the best coaches can have irrational preferences and dislikes – as indeed, do the fans. I wonder how many differences there would be if all the PA contributors picked their starting line up for this afternoon.
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Tough one to predict, I am going for a win, but only just, and nervy at times. Hopefully, some width today. But may take a bit of time for whatever they did in Dubai to really sink in and become part of their game, lately, there has been plenty of effort, and bad luck, but still something missing, that can take a while to remedy
Newcastle will sit back, defend in numbers, time waste if appropriate to them and generally take advantage of whatever seems to come over the PGMOL when we play.
I expect stubborn if limited opposition today.
As for City, really hope you are right AA, and these things come to pass, to City, and maybe others, but still worry they will find a way to wriggle out of it, or some little punishment through a deal. Eufas credibility rests on this sticking.
What a pity it takes the European body and not our pathetic, pragmatic, and probably biased home football bodies to act.
I suspect as far as the next few years go, the EPL and FA would be quite happy with Liverpool and Utd competing at the top, with the odd plucky outsider or moneyed southerner occasionally being offered token spoils, city might not be in their plans.
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The wind is due to drop from 40 (kmh?) to 17 by kick off, and just a bit showery so it should be a slickish pitch. I think also that there will be a difference about this break: the players aren’t coming back from all over the place having played for different teams, but from a comparatively extended period of intensive training and team bonding.
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Foreverheady,
Your post is right out of my head are you a mind reader or something.
Anyway good preview LG and great comments as usual.
I think we have seen FFP be as powerful as a powder puff so I see the city thing as a sideshow and an irrelevance that won’t ever happen.
Look at the chelski debacle, Ban cut to one window with their whoreing of the loan system meaning they could add new players to squad even in that time.
Dubai could mean things click today that just haven’t quite worked in the few games of Mikel’s infant tenancy.
I haven’t a clue what the line up will be because I think Mikel will be thinking about the barcodes tight structure and playing on the break. It might be a formation that best sets Mezut free. Whatever it is COYG.
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Only a fortnight but I’m out of groove in terms of what to expect, who I hope plays, even what 3 points does for us, etc.
Before break though pretty sure I was hopeful this would be period when improvement under Arteta could yield wins and best performances yet. There are a few home games I believe and I am especially looking to forward to Arteta team in Europe, where reffing should be much better.
Saka was probably having best moment so far with Bournemouth game and start vs Burnley till booted out of it, so interesting to see if he keeps place.
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Young Pep had been threatening to build a legacy.
As covered with Shotta he’s only been able to beat the bias and cheating against his team from the pgMOB with the aid of a bottomless pit of wonga.
As we all saw and witnessed the Invincible’s couldn’t win a game of football on a titled pitch.
Arteta in his own words is rightfully proud of the football and titles they won during that period.
Mikel Knows.
COYG
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Some clubs would never get that Penalty call that Tottenham just got, even with VAR.
Mike Riley’s boondangle cooked up a year later then VAR across the league has only highlighted for thy r average football fan who crooked the PL actually is.
A quick sweep of twitter chats in these past six to twelve months will reveal that more football fans accept that the pgMOB are not for for purpose then ever before, as opposed to being against VAR. That’s a stat! A fact. Which can’t be denied by the PR consultants meme to “protect our game”, these propagandists have been reading too much into Orwell’s passages on Football. Not even the lame limping smear of being “against English football” can help Mike’s fans now,
not when most English football fans can accept that he is a palpable cheat.
One tournament final in 80 years is the final comprehensive stat that strikes the stake deep into this vampire.
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With the re-election of Levy’s dodgy mate,
with his dodgy record as Mayor (the cable car bridge boondangle etc), the pressure on that medieval fiefdom in n17 being a success :
Safe to speculate down at the bookies that Tottenham are guaranteed a CL spot? I hope I am wrong on this one.
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Read a couple reports suggesting City could be docked points from the 2013 2014, and lose their championship from that year, and the team who would retrospectively gain from this, yes, you guessed it, Liverpool.
Could all be a load of nonsense as well, but if Liverpool were to benefit from some punishment, nothing would surprise me
As for Tottenham, quite sure they will be given every assistance for a top four spot, although perhaps not as much assistance as Unai Emery gave them at the end of last season
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Fortunately Tottenham even at this their greatest spell in thirty years,
Even now,
Even with all their advantages,
Even with the support of the likes of the former London Mayor,
Tottenham are still, somehow,
Tottenham are ****.
And no amount of tilting can ever hide that.
When you think of everything in their favour, it’s an achievement. Perhaps not the achievement that their fans have been hoping for, think they’ve been dreaming, longing for an FA cup or three, but it’s an achievement nonetheless.
I suppose we should be impressed? Like all the broadcasters and plundits. How can you not be impressed!
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Leno
Bellerin, Mustafi, David Luiz, Saka
Xhaka, Ceballos
Pepe, Ozil, Aubameyang
Nketiah
subs: Martinez, Sokratis, Kolasinac, Torreira, Willock, Martinelli, Lacazette
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now isn’t that team selection one big ball of surprises
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NEWCASTLE TEAM
Dfubravka, Clark, Lascelles, Fernandez, Lazaro, Almiron, S. Longstaff, Bentaleb, Rose, Saint-Maximin, Joelinton.
Subs: Darlow, Schar, Lejeune, M. Longstaff, Hayden, Atsu, Ritchie
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and Tottenhams good fortune continues, all from a silly mistake from a player who was having a decent game, just knew that was going to happen. Dont have the stats, but they seem to get a lot of late winners, like Liverpool, perhaps a fitness our players have lacked recently
Luck, that is something that long deserted Arsenal, even if some ill fortune is self inflicted
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Not sure anyone on planet predicting that 11 for today. Interesting. May be no more to it than feeling that is best way to try break down specific Newcastle challenge.
Hopefully feelgood factor within squad is good enough, for time being, for players not to react badly when omitted anyway.
Almiron and Saint-maxim speedy customers so hopefully plan in place for breakaways.
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That is an interesting line up
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Lee Mason the ref and Kevin Friend on VAR, dumb and dumber
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Win feels completely essential. With City news, nasty feeling brewing that two or even three of Chels, Tottenham and Utd could somehow get champ league despite a lot of poor results and performances this year.
Longshot for us to be able to prevent it personally, but win today can give a bit of hope.
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Eddie Nketiah makes his first Premier League start in his career
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This Eddie selection confirms that the call in the second last game of last season, to leave him on the bench, was insane.
Nketiah movement to help set up that second goal against Bournemouth looks like the kind of movement (speed?) that’s beyond Laca atm
Big call but it had to be made.
That this was essentially the only blog at the time at the end of last season where you could point out the obvious makes me feel like I am in good company here.
Thank you all.
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8 minutes in and Xhaka is booked
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That was the softest yellow you will ever see, an absolute joke. You would not see that ever given to anyone else in any other team. Corrupt as fuck. Wouldn’t even be a foul against us.
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Probably was a booking, unless of course you are a Chelsea player already on a yellow
Lets see if the same applies to them
A bit of a nervy start, need to wake up a bit
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Inventing corners for the opponents from nothing
Absolute joke and obviously bent officials. Disgusting and weak people. They don’t deserve to be called refs.
COYG
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It’s so obvious after 15 mins how bent the official is in this match.
Not a debate.
Will the big blaggers ever muster the footballs to call it like all can see it?
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It’s so obvious after 15 mins how bent the official in this match is.
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I can’t even watch it any more. It angers me to such an extent seeing and listening to the bullshit
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this has not been good from us so far
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When the pgMOB involved in an Arsenal match:
You are not watching a contest of association football.
Far from it.
Doesn’t matter what happens in the rest of this match if you are an arsenal fan incapable of calling it as it is: please go and check yourself before you wreck yourself (if it’s not too late already Wexit and all included)
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They aren’t refs, they are Mike Riley stooges, pathetic careerists that know what their boss wants and that they must carry that out if they are to progress.
Who Mike Riley is really in bed with is perhaps the more interesting question.
Come on Arsene, get something on that crook
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Eds,
I think it’s fair to give Ceballos a go in this home match, but as a fan I’m happy to say I’m a Torreira fan.
Long way to go, this official who’s been called out by this crowd as cheat on previous occasions seriously tilted the momentum in Newquay’s favour for a spell.
Let’s see if the Gunners can get back into their groove against the multiple opponents.
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Mandy
1) how is he still in the job after so long and such a big drop in the standards that English refs are getting ignored in big tournaments
2) why are journalists not allowed to even criticise him?
We all know the answers. But that doesn’t mean we can’t discuss the damage done to English Football by these vampires. Sancho ain’t coming home anytime soon! Lol.
COYG
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holy fuck how did Mason not give a freekick for that on Saka
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Bent Mcbendy bent bent, Mason is a cock
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HT: Arsenal 0-0 Newcastle
midtable EPL dross, all huff and puff but so little quality, not helped by an inept overweight pgmol game manager
we are taking too many touches before passing in the final third
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Not very good, though picked up for a spell. No mistake,though, Newc would surely not be getting all these soft free kicks at Anfield et al. Took 45 seconds for last one. Pretty damn slow at goal kicks, corners, throws, too. Hugely impacts ability to try find rhythm and build up pressure.
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We certainly do know the answers Finsbury.
As long as he doesn’t upset Utd or Liverpool, which , let’s face it, is very unlikely, as long as he rewards a couple other media faves like Tottenham and Leicester from time to time, Riley has a job for life, no matter how appalling he is , unless someone gets something on him one day. Mike Riley is the only Leeds supporter I am aware of who has spent a career trying to look after Utd, or “Scum”as Leeds call them. I know a couple Leeds fans who dislike Riley even more than we do!
I just cannot understand how the likes of Lee Mason is still employed as a referee, a damning indictment on Riley’s recruitment process
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Martinelli could change this game if he gets a chance, no pressure on an 18 year old
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Great stuff! Auba needed that, nice assist for Pepe
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I know we just scored two, but I think it had been a good performance to that point anyway. There was always going to be some rust to shake off, but after 20 mins the chances have been getting more clear-cut. Ozil’s been v good too, and Ceballos is a key mf conduit.
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That’s a top class goal IMO
The loop on the cross
The conviction in the header
Unlucky Eddie earlier but you can’t be relying on just the odd chance, let’s not go into the Emery hole again,
COYG
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Pepeeeeeeee! It gets better!
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Saka’s an amazing talent btw.
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I was impressed by the way the team saw off the burst from the opposing thirteen and took control of the midfield and the match as that first half wore on.
And that nutmeg by Saka was worth the entrance fee alone for those lucky enough to be watching it live
COYG
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Much better..
dare we hope for a reversal of the goal diff to proper positive please
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For an 18 year old to make a ‘Meg like that, making a goal, in the PL, whilst playing as a LB when that isn’t even his position…
…you’ve got to ask how it is the amazing genius The Don didn’t extend his contract after his first few performances early in the season!
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The only impediment to Saka hitting these highest levels as it was for Eduardo, Diaby, Ramsey, Wilshere…etc…is as as been discussed on these pages of late, it is the craven pgMOB.
Which is why we must hope he does not choose to follow Sancho abroad.
Is the Don good for anything?
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