Even though Arsene Wenger and the Arsenal team will head north to face Newcastle United with great confidence and fully expecting to come back to London with all three points, we must still take the game seriously and should not underestimate the Magpies.
So I think the Gunners have to start with Aaron Ramsey not Santi Cazorla in central midfield. The Spaniard has done really well to fill in but the Welshman gives the team a much better balance between defence and attack and we know he can chip in with goals and assists as well.
The big question for me is who to play in the number 10 role; Santi or Mesut Ozil. Our Germany international has been much better since returning from his latest injury and has added strength and work rate to his game, with a bit of bite as well. But Cazorla has also been in great form so I thought a look at their stats might help.
I have used Squawka.com and the stats are adjusted to an average per 90 minutes as Cazorla has played twice as many Premier League games. To be honest there is not a lot to choose between the two.
Santi´s overall and attacking score is better, as are his goals tally, shots per game and shooting accuracy. Ozil comes out on top on possession, assists and chances created but you have to consider that our little Spaniard has been playing deeper quite a bit.
So it is a matter of choice really as there is no clear winner. I would pick Cazorla but I suspect Wenger will go with Ozil. What would you do Gooners?
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ADMIN MESSAGE:
For the SECOND time, we will be using a new IN PLAY phone app for Android or Apple for the Arsenal fans to interact on Matchday, and this game should be a lot better as we now know how to use it!. Everyone can download the app on this link, and then join the Fan Club called Just Arsenal News. If you are asked for a code to join our Just Arsenal” Fan Club
it is 1942M.
Once you have joined you will see a small eye on top right (This is called DISCOVERY) then hit the search button at the top and enter ‘Arsenal Game chat’ or the code for the MatchDay chat which is NKXQQ and I will approve you as a member. We got over 200 fans registered last weekend, so hopefully we can all get interacting during the match. All those who registered last week DO NOT need to re-register. Everyone get registered and we can start chatting just before the game. Come on you Gooners!