After a perfect response to recent struggles in a 2-0 win over Chelsea in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night, we now face our third game in seven days and, on paper, our toughest test of the season so far.
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal arrive for Saturday’s early kick-off at St James’ Park and they can’t afford to lose. They’ve lost their last away game in the league – a 2-0 defeat at Bournemouth – and drew 2-2 with Liverpool last Sunday, meaning defeat here could leave them eight points behind Man City at the end of play this weekend if at the top if results went against them this weekend.
Our league form must improve, as five without a win has left us 12th and in need of points in our own pursuit of European football, but that midweek win over Chelsea gives us a much-needed lift coming into this one. It’s a platform to build on, a return to that intense identity we all love, a huge confidence boost and a chance to kickstart our league season.
Howe’s pre-match comments
“I’m really pleased with the response from the players. I thought our performance was very good and we got the result for that performance – two good goals and a clean sheet. Winning always makes you feel better about everything – there is a spring in your step.”
“It was good to see so many players performing. A lot of players that came in did themselves no harm at all. It was good to be able to rotate some of the squad to see the strength and depth that we have in certain positions.
“I think three games in six days for us is a challenge, especially with an early kick-off again. So we’re gonna have to see how the players are physically pick the team according to physical well-being.”
Team news
Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak “both feel OK” and should be fine, but Kieran Trippier, Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles remain out along with Callum Wilson, who won’t be back until the next international break.
It remains to be seen if Jacob Murphy will return after a hamstring issue kept him out on Wednesday, but Howe did hint at choosing his XI carefully and “see how the players are physically” as we prepare for our third game in a week.
For the Gunners, William Saliba is back from a ban, Gabriel (knee) is expected to be OK if he comes through training fine on Friday, but Ben White is a doubt, with Riccardo Calafiori and Martin Odegaard ruled out.
Predicted XI: Pope – Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall – Longstaff, Tonali, Guimaraes – Gordon, Isak, Joelinton.
For me, this is the toughest predicted XI of the season, with Howe facing a number of selection headaches and big calls to make after several took their chance in Wednesday’s win over Chelsea.
At the back, I’d be perfectly happy if Krafth played after his latest rock-solid display at right-back, but I think Livramento was one of our better plays last Sunday and doesn’t deserve to be ‘dropped.’
Arguably the biggest decision for Howe is at centre-back; Burn or Kelly? We benefited from the latter’s pace and athleticism at times in midweek. He was superb and made some vital blocks, however, I think Burn will come back in, rightly or wrongly, especially given his dominance in the air as we prepare to face by far the best team from set pieces in the league.
I don’t think Willock will start twice in four days given his lack of minutes so far this season, leaving room for a midfield three of Longstaff, Bruno and Tonali; who could interchange with Bruno between a No.6 and left-sided No.8 who can link up with Joelinton (LW) and use his pace to help track danger man Saka down Arsenal’s right.
Match prediction: Newcastle 1-1 Arsenal
This will be a real test of our mettle at both ends of the pitch. They are a tough nut to crack, physically big, strong in midfield and dangerous in attack, but they’ll be against a Newcastle side buoyed by our midweek win and desperate to kickstart our league season after five without a win.
I don’t see us taking all three points and my head tells me Arsenal might just edge it, but I’m leading with my heart and backing us to come away with a big point.
Howay the lads!
Once again not hopeful for a result against Arsenal. As well as we did on Wednesday v Chelsea it wasn’t the Chelsea that beat us on the Sunday.
Anyway hopefully being at home helps us a bit but this is a massive test.
kimtoon(Quote)
Interesting lineup. Big Joelinton, Gordon and Isak as the front three and Willock and Longstaff start with Bruno in midfield. Tonali on the bench. I think we may see Tonali replace Bruno at some point. I’ll take a point. Hope we don’t get any red cards, but I’d be happy to see a few Arsenal players sent off. Let’s see.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Nufc will have done very well if they come out no of this game with anything.
Nufc need to stop them running at the back line unopposed and be better than they have been defending set pieces.
Hall and livramento esp’ have their hands full today.
We saw signs of positivity with the joe squared tandem so let’s see how that goes.
I know it’s not his best position but Gordon is the best RWF at the club so maybe we’ll see him there regularly till Jan.
HTL
Jonesy(Quote)
Already a love in for Arsenal with the pundits and commentators. 😡
Gilly Toon(Quote)
HWTL
kimtoon(Quote)
What a goooooaaaaaal
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Fantastic header Isak, take a bow lad.
kimtoon(Quote)
Good first half performance, would of liked a second goal cause Arsenal will likely be better second half and we don’t always have two good halves in us.
kimtoon(Quote)
Great first half. Gordon, Livramento and Hall have been excellent but the whole team have performed well. Need at least one more goal though, as Arsenal will not be same in second half
Gilly Toon(Quote)
We need another goal
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Very impressive today, we deserve this, will be gutted if they score this late on.
kimtoon(Quote)
5 mins et is gonna feel like an hour.
kimtoon(Quote)
Bloomin brilliant stuff, well done lads, Hall and Tino superb, they all were.
That’s more like it, now do that to the teams around and below us please.
kimtoon(Quote)
Great great win. Played superbly today. Hall and Livramento were immense. Outstanding performances all round today
Gilly Toon(Quote)
And Lego head cannot whinge about that goal! Lol
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Yep fair and square.
kimtoon(Quote)