Premier League preview: Arsenal v Newcastle United
In the space of a few weeks, these two sides meet again.
The venue is the Emirates stadium today, and this time it is a crunch league game for both sides rather than a Carling Cup tie.
Arsenal dished out a 4-0 thumping to Newcastle in the Carling Cup at St James’ Park to advance to the quarter-finals once again, but when Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger would usually have played youngsters in a weakened side, it was Newcastle manager Chris Hughton who did that instead.
There will be no such thing happening this afternoon, as Newcastle are most likely to stick to the side that battered local rivals Sunderland 5-1 last weekend. The ease with which they beat Sunderland delighted the fans, but even they know games against Arsenal are always difficult.
Both Arsenal and Newcastle are enjoying good form in the league. The Gunners have won their last three games, while Newcastle are unbeaten in three, winning the last two.
While Newcastle have had a week on the training ground to relax and fully prepare for the game, Arsenal faced the long trip to Ukraine in midweek, and were punished by former Gunner favourite Eduardo in the 2-1 defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk. Theo Walcott put Arsenal in front with a goal similar to that of Arsenal’s record goalscorer Thierry Henry, but an own goal and Eduardo’s strike snatched the three points. Wenger said his team became “complacent,” and ahead of today’s game, he was looking back at the previous results to help the team move forward.
“We were too sure that we would win the West Brom game,” said Wenger, the game Arsenal lost 3-2 at home in September. “We will not repeat that against Newcastle. We know they are a good side and, on that front, the fact that they have beaten Sunderland 5-1 is a good warning for us.”
Arsenal came up against a stubborn West Ham last weekend, and when Hammers ‘keeper Robert Green stopped everything that was thrown at him, it looked like being two points dropped, but Alex Song’s 88th minute winner brought the three points.
“Against West Ham we knew before the game that it would be difficult. But what I liked very much is that we were very patient, intelligent and calm. I think I was most pleased with our patience,” Wenger said, who thinks those qualities might be called into action again against the Magpies.
“They [Newcastle] had a great game. But it has its advantages as we have been warned Newcastle are capable to be very strong and score goals,” Wenger added when heaping praise on Newcastle.
So we know Arsenal won’t take Newcastle for granted, and why should they?
Newcastle have shown on their return to the top flight that they can play good football and grind out the results. On paper the Sunderland game should have been tough, but they made it look easy at times, tormenting the centre-back partnership of Michael Turner and Titus Bramble, with the latter unable to handle Andy Carroll and was sent off.
With the trouble-maker come Toon Army hero Carroll coping well with the legendary No.9 shirt, manager Hughton has not taken time out to speak about his progress or Shola Ameobi’s in fact. Instead, he has praised the efforts of Joey Barton, a man who some feel the phrase of “locked up and throw the key away” applies to.
Credit to Barton, he has got his head down and just played football, coming back to the form that once made him a valuable player to have in any team. The jury is still out with Barton, but that hasn’t stopped Hughton from singing his praises.
“I am really pleased for Joey because all he has done is he has put his head down and worked,” said the Newcastle boss. “People can say whatever they want to say about money and cars and all of these things. What players want more than anything is to be playing and playing well, and Joey is doing both.”
Skipper Kevin Nolan fired in a hat-trick in the 5-1 win, but while he can do the chicken celebration as much as he likes, he knows the big test is coming up. “It's only three points,” said Nolan. “Now we've got to make sure we get ready for Arsenal.”
Nolan was also quick to praise Hughton for the job he is doing, despite the rumours flying around about his position at the club. “You see how much it means for the lads to do it for him, the victory [Sunderland win] was for him,” he said. “It shut a few stupid people up who were writing stupid stuff about him.”
Very much so, and Hughton deserves to be rewarded with a new deal to tie him down to the club for the future.
Arsenal are strong at the Emirates, and Newcastle will have their work cut out to deal with the incisive play Arsenal always produce.
Prediction: Arsenal 3 Newcastle 0
Tags: