Well, we lost a game against Bournemouth, we couldn’t win against Liverpool when we should have and have fallen 5 points behind the leader Man City in the league table. Things aren’t going our way, with the injury list as big as it can get and some very unfortunate red cards shown to us. And to top it off, we get to play the third game in a week against a very physical, aggressive Newcastle side away from home.
But, I’m sure Arteta would be showing our last visit to St. James’ Park when we were shoved (Gabriel – Bruno), had verbal altercations (Rice – Bruno) and wrong ref/VAR calls were given (the only goal of that game). There’s only one thing we can’t control, but we are going to counter their physicality with our ‘Dark Arts’ and I’m sure players Kai Havertz would have been giving lectures.
It’s a very important game for us, Newcastle are vulnerable at the moment and if we manage to win, it keeps us in the title challenge.
Team News
In the team news, Big Gabi is doubtful to make it to the playing XI after missing out the game against Preston. William Saliba is the only surety in that backline, after serving the red against Liverpool which he picked up in the Bournemouth game. Ben White has picked up a joint injury and didn’t train this week, so he could also miss out. It will be a conundrum for Mikel to pick the back 4. Kiwior, Zinchenko, Saliba, Timber are available for sure, Thomas Partey could make it at the RB if Mikel tries to be smart and sacrifices one of Kiwior or Zinchenko.
Odegaard, Tomiyasu, Tierney and Calafiori will not be available.
Zinchenko made the Preston game so he is most likely to start at LB position And Timber should start on the right side. It’s going to be a very tough, physical, intense game and I hate to say it but Calafiori was more suited for this than Zinchenko. Newcastle are a tough team and they play a good attacking, pressing game. Kiwior dropped a good performance against Preston and if it’s up to me, I would rather see him play than Zinchenko.
Midfield? It’s going to be usuals – Thomas Partey, Declan Rice and Mikel Merino. Partey still has his footballing vision intact but he has lost some of his athleticism and is pushed off the ball very easily. In a physical game, we need players than can shield the ball from opposition and take those blows without affecting one own’s performance. Declan Rice can do that but Partey can’t. I would rather fix Rice as a DM, Merino by his side in the defensive duty and let Nwaneri play an advance role like Odegaard used to do.
Front 3 should be back to basics, Marts, Havertz and Saka. Lets not try to be smart here.
Wrapping Up
We had beaten Newcastle 4-1 at home the last time we played in Premier League. Havertz, Saka and Kiwior were on the scoresheet with the 4th goal being an own goal from Botman. Willock scored from the Newcastle side. We had lost the first tie when Anthony Gordon’s controversial goal was the highlight of the day. The ball was out of play, ref and VAR decided it wasn’t and it was given a goal against us.
We have a problem physically if Ben White is not available today. Newcastle and Bruno G in particular are going to be physically intimidating. Declan Rice, and Thomas Partey can sustain that a bit but we need someone to be on offensive side. Havertz is the only one left with ‘Dark Arts’ and I would surely miss Ben if he don’t make it today.
I want us to thrash them, humble them a bit at their home and I want us to move closer to the top of the league.
Right, that’s all for today. See you during the match.
Too early to sub Trossard out?
We need Nwaneri
For Nwaneri Ambarish good call
Bruno G trying to kick Merino and getting injured? LOL
Tony
Yes, we are going to see Nwaneri IN very soooon
Levtomento has got Marts in his back pocket. Needs subbing too
Hope so Ambarish the kid is special
Martinelli used to do the most atrocious and score goals. Brazilian samba football. Looks like ElB has finally managed to file away all his creative edges.
Now Martinelli just has speed.
Not surprising ,I’ll call Arteta a graveyard of talents.
Havertz had 10 passes 8 successful made one tackle and that’s it for 40 minutes so no wonder we don’t score.
Brilliant Hoopah
Howe taking notes on how to draw fouls and get somebody red carded.
LoL
Guys, Thomas Partey read our blog.
This game needs us with 3 at the back and 5 midfield including wing backs to win the midfield
Parters having a blinder 😂
Partey’s
Hoopah,
He is gonna bring his bodyguard at half time.. it’s not too physical for him yet.
No shots on goal so deserve to be losing.
We’re way off the pace Arteta really needs to get us playing a lot quicker and Havertz needs to get in the middle and give us some options.
Beyond that can someone tell me what the point is of having Zinchenko on a couple of hundred grand a week if he can’t come in as back up left back?
Marc, it’s because no one wanted Zinchenko when MA tried to offload him & Jesus with no takers.
Agreed we need Kai up top as a 9 and Nwaneri in midfield take off Merino and let Partey and Rice hold the DM spot on the pivot. Let Nwaneri create with one of Rice or Partey.
Keep the full backs in wingback to drop back to make a 5 or move forward tp support Saka Havertz and Marts.
We are overrun in midfield which was how they scored.
Eddie Howe who hasn’t won a game in the last 5 has better tactics than MA. Not by much but they’ve looked the better side, as Marc says we need to get out of 2nd gear…..