Arsenal vs Newcastle Preview, Predicted line up and score line by KJ
We’ve been extremely inconsistent in the league and this means that the top 4 hasn’t really been established. At the moment, United are the most likeliest to make it in there but the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool have all failed to really establish themselves and are now in a fight with each other to get that final place.
We are completely destroyed by injuries and suspensions with Ramsey now out for a month and Chambers suspended for the game against Newcastle. This has forced us to bring back Francis Coquelin from loan. It is a laughable state of affairs but this is what happens when you fail to strengthen properly in the summer and then fail to establish the root of all of your injury problems.
Our attacking players will have a big job of ensuring that they take the pressure off the defence by consistently exploiting Newcastle and winning the ball back in our attacking third. Good movement by Welbeck and Sanchez with Giroud combining should enable this and the improved form of Santi should help us control the game.
Predicted line up:
Szczesny
Bellerin – Debuchy – Mertesacker – Gibbs
Flamini – Oxlade-Chamberlain
Alexis – Cazorla – Welbeck
Giroud
It’s a bare bones line up with at least 6 first team players missing but we’ll have to make do (as we have for the entire season so far).
Debuchy at CB with Bellerin at RB could be a massive problem. Two players who can easily be exploited if Pardew utilises his inform players correctly. Flamini and Chamberlain is not a central midfield used often and that’s because neither can show any control over the game. Chamberlain is always looking to dribble at players whilst Flamini just runs around shouting at stuff.
Alexis and Cazorla are the two in form players and you’re hoping with the midweek rest that they can really hurt the Newcastle defence. Giroud has also been rested as has Welbeck meaning that we should see some interesting movement and combination between the front four.
Even with our injuries, I believe with our attacking talent that we can outscore Newcastle. 3-2 to the Gunners.
Kash