Arsenal will host Newcastle United this weekend at the Emirates. The Magpies are fresh from a close defeat against Manchester United at Old Trafford. They were almost close to securing a win, but ended up throwing the lead on all three occasions.
Manchester United came back to equalize thrice, and scored the winner in stoppage time through Javier Hernandez. The Magpies have now only 2 wins from their last 10 Premier League games, Newcastle are currently 15th on the league table.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Arsenal-c38429 did not play on Boxing Day, so enjoyed an extended Christmas break. The Gunners last played out a narrow 0-1 win at the DW Stadium against Wigan Athletic. They did not look their usual fluid self, but ended up grinding out a result.
The Gunners are at 7th spot, with a game in hand. A victory over Newcastle will take them up to 4th spot, tied on points with http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Everton-c13019, Tottenham and West Brom but ahead on goal difference.
Arsenal
Expected starting line-up:
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Lukas-Podolski-c22896.
Arsenal are expected to field out the same team which grinded out the win against Wigan last weekend. The back four remains the same, with http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Laurent-Koscielny-c21742 on the bench. There is a chance the Frenchman may be selected ahead of Thomas Vermaelen in order
to provide the Belgian with further rest.
The midfield trio of Arteta, Cazorla and Wilshere will start as usual, with Arteta playing the holding role. Wilshere will operate as the box-to-box player with Cazorla taking up the central midfield role.
Up front, Olivier Giroud is expected to return to the team and will feature in the lone striker’s role. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Theo-Walcott-c34873 may return on the wing, with Lukas Podolski accompanying him on the opposite flank.
Wenger will be hoping for Giroud to start firing and get his goal-scoring form back on track after a barren run.
On the bench, Arsenal have the likes of Tomas Rosicky, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Aaron-Ramsey-c3065 to call upon if things don’t go their way.
Newcastle United
Expected starting line-up:
Tim Krul, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Demba-Ba-c10812, Papiss Demba Cisse.
Newcastle are still without the likes of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Yohan-Cabaye-c37423 remains sidelined till February as he recuperates from surgery.
Ryan Taylor, Steven Taylor and Haris Vuckic have been sidelined for the long term, and leave Newcastle http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Bare-c7300 in the centre. Yohan Cabaye’s absence has cost the team points as they struggle to create chances, while Ben Arfa has also been a major loss for the
side.
The midfield has lots of power and physicality, but lacks a creative flair. However, the likes of Tiote and Anita will provide a challenge for the Arsenal’s midfield trio.
Up front, Newcastle have star strikers Demba Ba and Papiss Demba Cisse in a two-pronged attack. The former has been in fine form for the club, and is currently their highest scorer. Cisse notched up a goal against Manchester United, and looks to be returning
to form as well.
Final Score:
I expect Arsenal to fairly edge out in terms of quality. They will create more chances and will win the game by 3 goals to 1. I expect Cazorla, Podolski and Walcott on the score sheet with Demba Ba grabbing a consolation for the visitors.
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