In our first outing of the New Year, Eddie Howe’s Mags travel to North London for a top-of-the-table clash with Arsenal. Imagine reading that sentence 12 months ago!
2022 ended with a frustrating 0-0 draw with Leeds; a game we could and should have won comfortably as missed chances saw us drop two points and end a run of six straight league wins.
Since that rainy day at St James’ Park, results elsewhere have well and truly worked in our favour. Spurs lost at home to Aston Villa on New Year’s Day, Chelsea were held to a 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest and Liverpool fell to a 3-1 defeat at Brentford yesterday, keeping Jurgen Klopp’s Reds six points behind us.
Three results that only help our ever-improving top four hopes and performances that gave Toon fans on Tyneside nothing to fear, reminding us that several ‘big six’ contenders look way off the pace.
Our consistency in 2022 and recent run of clean sheets speaks volumes, but today’s trip to table topping Arsenal promises to be one of our toughest tests yet.
The Gunners are in devastating form. Not only have the scored seven goals in their first two games back following the World Cup, they’ve won each of their last 10 Premier League games at the Emirates. Win tonight and they’ll move 10 points clear of Man City – who travel to Chelsea on Wednesday night – although they are facing a Newcastle United side who’ve lost just one Premier League game all season.
After beating Spurs in their own back yard, taking a point off Man City and seeing off Chelsea at St James’ Park, let’s hope we come away from the capital having made another statement!
Team news
Kieran Trippier is eligible to play, as his yellow card against Leeds was his FOURTH of the season, leaving him one booking away from a one-game ban.
Fabian Schar is also one yellow from suspension, but we’ll be without Alexander Isak (thigh), Jonjo Shelvey (calf), Matt Targett (heel), Emil Krafth (ACL) and Paul Dummett for this one.
For the hosts, Gabriel Jesus remains out with a knee injury, meaning Eddie Nketiah should lead the line for Mikel Arteta’s men.
Predicted line ups
(4-3-3): Pope – Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn – Willock, Guimaraes, Joelinton – Almiron, Wilson, Saint-Maximin.
Howe hasn’t rotated much in recent months, tending to stick with a winning side, but I’d be surprised if there wasn’t a couple of changes from our 0-0 draw with Leeds.
We put in a big shift at the weekend and haven’t been given a big turnaround here. I don’t see our back four changing after six clean sheets in our last seven games in all competitions, but I think we’ll see our big guns return in attack.
Chris Wood was poor on Saturday and Joelinton also failed to make the most of the space he was afforded against Leeds. I can see a fit-again Callum Wilson coming back in up top, Allan Saint-Maximin returning down our left and Joelinton dropping back into midfield in Sean Longstaff’s place.
The Geordie midfielder has been in good form, but he had a second half to forget last weekend. Joelinton’s physicality and Willock’s pace on the counter could also be key against an equally sprightly Arsenal side.
Prediction
Arsenal have won their last 10 league games on home turf, but they’re also facing a Newcastle side who’ve lost once all season and kept six clean sheets in their last seven, not to mention the fact we blew them away at St James’ Park back in May!
Arteta’s side are made of sterner stuff these days, but I believe we have what it takes to hurt them at both ends.
Mix Wilson’s return with a relentless midfield, Miggy magic and THE best defence in the Premier League, I see no reason why we won’t get a result.
Prediction: Arsenal 1-1 Newcastle
The Arsenal team doesn’t look like a league winner to me. They have some very good players in Odegaard, Partey and Saka but they have weaknesses as well. This is the team that played Brighton. I think they are only slightly better than a full strength NUFC.
Ramsdale
White
Saliba
Gabriel
Zinchenko
Odegaard
Partey
Xhaka
Saka
Nketiah
Martinelli
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I am not saying they have any bad players but some run hot and cold – White, Xhaka, Nketiah, Martinelli.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric – they have a togetherness that Arsenal didn’t have for a long time under other managers.
Arteta cleared out all of the champagne Charlie’s and has a bunch of players what work their socks off for each other.
A lot like the Leicester winning side, and what I see at NUFC under Howe.
Sharpy17(Quote)
That’s why I’m steaming about this Ronaldo clause!!.
That totally undermines our board, our recruitment staff, coaches & Howe – and could be very damaging to the players mentality .. “ok so we get you to the CL and then CR7 struts in to take over”.
I hope it NEVER happens – but you know it’s all Howe will get asked about now. 😡😡😡
Sharpy17(Quote)
I think we can get a result tonight if we just attack Arsenal like we did the last time we played them. I’d like to see us go for it. A draw will be a good result I think.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Gilly – they’ve come out quick in their last few games – scoring early. Big thing for me is to avoid that. We don’t want to be chasing the game.
I’m not saying sit back and park the bus – far from it. We just need to be running from the first whistle coz if we’re jogging they will punish us.
Sharpy17(Quote)
It was funny listening to Carra after the match last night – VVD isn’t in bad form he just hasn’t got the protection in front of him – Klopp isn’t making mistakes it’s the influence of his Dutch no. 2 😂😂
They won’t have it like will they!!. They won’t call a spade a spade.
He’s twisting on saying they need to spend £200m on midfield but can spend what Chelsea or Man Utd do.
If they need midfielders so badly why spend £40m on Gakpo 🤔.
If they have no money why let Origi leave for free to spend £80m or whatever it was on Nunez???.
They are mental & its why I can’t stand Liverpool
Sharpy17(Quote)
Aye Sharpy, defensively, we need to be absolutely on top of our game. This will be a real test for them. Burn is good but not the quickest. Longstaff was poor against Leeds and I’d drop him for this one I think.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
We will need a strong press. Dropping Longstaff and putting Big Joe in next to Little Joe maintains that. But that means ASM out wide, and he has not been too diligent in the past
PremAndUp(Quote)
On any other day we would have beat Leeds. It wasnt the performance, it was the finishing. I was thinking about it and wondering if there has been any game this season where we have been lucky to get a result like in the Bruce and Pards years. I can’t think of any. Quite the opposite we were UNLUCKY against Liverpool, Palace and Leeds.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
What I want for the game tonight is a bloody fair ref
Icedog(Quote)
These dumb Journos are still swallowing the line from Eddie and Ashworth that we are restricted by FFP. Our management team are playing games with these fools. If the right player is available we will buy him. West Ham spent 160 million in the summer. Everton had a loss of 170 million that was covered up by the PL when it came to FFP.
It is incomprehensible to me that the Journos who do this for a living do not know when they are being conned.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
It is just so easy to figure out. The FFP rules are based on revenue and our revenue will double in the next 2 years, therefore we should not be worried about FFP and should not believe Eddie or Ashworth when they say they are.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I’m not in finance like you Eric, so I don’t understand these complex financial issues. We can spend up to a figure based on the last three years revenue. Next year we will spend up to a new total based on next years extra revenue. We can’t spend in this year what doesn’t arrive until next year. If we spend every penny of this years we have nothing to carry over to next year.
PremAndUp(Quote)
Prem: if we are within the FFP limits now we will still be in the limits when Aramco and Saudi Telecom give us 100 mil in sponsorship in the summer. We can easily afford Maddison and not worry about FFP.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I am actually looking forward to the hue and cry from the likes of Everon and West Ham when we get the new sponsor deals. They have flaunted the rules for years but will be all holier than thou when it comes to our “blood money”. Their fans will go into meltdown on twitter 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Oh, as well. If one of Everton or West Ham get relegated they will want us to have points deducted.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
There are some potentially season defining games tomorrow:
S’ton – Forest
Leeds – WHam
Villa – Wolves
Palace – Spurs
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Also, it is nice where we feel that a loss will not derail us. In years gone by, including under Rafa, a loss at this time of year could have put us in the bottom 3. We played terrible football under Rafa and he relegated the best squad ever to get relegated and yet most NUFC fans loved him. I just don’t get it.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
It is actually the one thing that Bruce’s pundit pals got right – that his record was not that different to Rafa’s and the football wasnt that different either. He had a pinch more luck but I knew after 3 months that eventually he would relegate us. I also think Rafa would have. He chose Rondon over Mitro and Toney FFS.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Spot on mate, me too.
kimtoon(Quote)
Rafa was given the easiest time of any NUFC manager I can remember. The fans hounded Big Fat Sam out of the club when he played the same football as Rafa but had us mid-table. Rafa got us relegated and was always fighting relegation but was a God to a lot of fans. Ask Everton how he did there!!!
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I went on a bit of a rant there at Rafa but that is because nobody else does. He is given a status at NUFC that he doesn’t deserve.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
If Rafa had this current team we would be lower mid-table with him pushing his hands together saying “compact, compact”.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
So Moyes spent 160 million pounds in the summer. 35 mil on Scumacca and 51 on Paqueta alone. They also value Declan Rice at 120 million. How can they only be out of the bottom 3 on goal difference.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
This is going to be a very tough match tonight. I fear a loss, but hope I’m wrong. We must take our chances. No Jesus for them, which is good news. And Wilson starts for us. Let’s see.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Gilly: is it a free hit? We should have beat Leeds but have an easier run of games after Arsenal. Not sure why Maxi isnt starting.
Brighton at Everton is crucial for Super Frank. Moyes is on the brink.
Just happy I am not talking this way about our Manager 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
ERIC they are saying the reason l/pool,m/u etc get round the ffp rules is they never buy a player outright they spread the transfer fee over a few windows so they get round the rules
Icedog(Quote)
Arteta reminds me of Captain Black from that puppet show with the Misterones.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
6 players start today who Bruce had!!!
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Also Dubs, Murphy, ASM, Lascelles, Ritchie, Lewis, Manquillo on the bench. All were available to Brucie-Boy.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
We have Danny Higgenbotham as a main pundit over here. He said that the 1st goal would be important and the 1st 25 minutes would also be important. Is there anything in football that is stating the obvious more than that. How does he have a job?
The other 1 we have is Jim Beglin who all he ever says is that a player didnt need to take a 2nd touch when he misses a chance.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I know it’s early but bloody hell Arsenal look good 🫣🫣🫣
Sharpy17(Quote)
This time last year NUFC were 2nd bottom on 11 points from 19 games.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Don’t buy into this free hit narrative at all as it implies no self belief Newcastle should be up there. If Newcastle want to matter then games like this matter
V cagey match so far. With a niggly ref this unlikely to finish 11v 11
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
Guimaraes needs to shut up. The plans working to disrupt arsenal and he can’t lose his head like Saturday
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
I think it has been OK so far.
Super Frank losing at home 1 nil.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
This is driving me nucking futs. The pundits over here are saying every time Arsenal have the ball they look like they will score!!! THEY HAVE HAD ONE SHOT ON TARGET.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Mitro scored again 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Very messy first half. Ref is ****! Very card happy. We are again missing chances though. Joelinton missed a sitter at the end there… we will regret that miss and this won’t end 0-0. Arsenal look very good and fast on the counter. Saka is such good player
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Rafa, Rafael Benitez. Mitro, Alexander Mitrovitz. Ivan, Ivan Toney. Rafael Benitez.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Gilly – Arsenal have had 1 shot on target.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
We are playing the top of the league team. It was never going to be easy. Havent they won like 10 in a row?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
This is certainly a test of our strength here Eric!
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Arsenal have also won all 7 home gaes this season.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Both scoring and in defence
Gilly Toon(Quote)
OOOhhh Super Frank down 2 nil.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
3 – nil now at Everton!!!
Eric Sykes(Quote)
That was never a yellow for Big Joe. It wasnt even a foul.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
The ref is a total disgrace again here mind!!
Forget VAR – this nugget is making all his decisions based on what the Arsenal fans are telling him!!
Sharpy17(Quote)
4 nil to Brighton !!!!
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I know people don’t like me pointing it out but Wood is awful!!!
We have lost all physical challenge up front since he’s came on – he just ran up to Saliba and made no challenge for a header – just stood and watched him head it 😡😡.
I’d rather put Maxi on and move Big Joe up front – at least he’d rough them up a bit.
So poor man!!.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Anyone got money on double digit extra time🤣🤣
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
Oh nooo .. that was the chance
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
Boom. We’ll take that. Howe is a masterclass in supreme confidence
Aah sweet music of arsenal boos
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
That was definitely a hard fought point earned there like.
There really wasn’t much of that 90 mins where I thought we were in charge.
The lads were excellent to keep Arsenal out tonight but I don’t remember us testing Ramsdale at all.
Replacing Wood should be our priority imo because when he came on Arsenal had nothing to worry about and encouraged them on – we were more under the cosh & that should never be the case.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I’ll take that. We had our chances again but so did they. Arteta reminds me of klippety Klop! Going mental on the touchline. Wood was awful.. he could’ve taken a shot there and wasted it, he may have been offside but put it away and get them to check. Longstaff not up to standard either today. Big big chance for Joelinton. Wish he’d put that away.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Happy with the point, had company tonight they and I both thought we were lucky not to concede a pen for the shirt pull.
We frustrated Arsenal, still top 4 I’m happy, oh and ref was poor AGAIN.
kimtoon(Quote)
Need to find our shooting boots too.
kimtoon(Quote)
Looking at the replay, there was a case for a pen to them for the shirt pull but decisions have gone against us incorrectly many times this season.
Gilly Toon(Quote)