I think we can safely assume that this weekend will see Arsenal come up against a more adventurous and forward thinking Newcastle United team to the one that worked hard and sat back to hold Man United to a no score draw at OLd Trafford last Saturday.
So the news revealed in an ESPN report that our France international centre back Laurent Koscielny looks set to miss the game at St.James´ Park on Saturday is not what we wanted to hear. However, I do not think there is any real need for us to worry too much.
As long as the other first choice centre back Per Mertesacker has fully recovered from his illness as expected, then I think that we should not have any problem with Gabriel coming in. The Brazilian really warmed to his task on Monday night and I see him as a direct understudy to the Frenchman, with the same pace and aggression.
And with the brilliant Petr Cech organising his defenders and exuding calmness and authority, there should be none of the nerves that riddled the first half against Liverpool. In fact, a slightly weakened defence might help us by making the Magpies even more happy to push forward and make it an open game.
If the BFG is still ill though and Gabriel has to partner Chambers at the heart of our back line, we could have a problem on our hands…