Mid-table with 1 win in 5 games, it’s a tad surprising that Arsenal fans are gleaming with optimism under new manager Mikel Arteta.
Whilst the form guide and ladder don’t show it, a new found on-pitch direction and philosophy have got the Emirates faithful purring with excitement – perhaps Steve Bruce’s Newcastle fancy bursting that bubble when they make Sunday’s visit to London.
The former Manchester United defender had few fans when turning up at Tyneside in the wake of Rafa Benitez’s exit from the club. Whilst Bruce has gained a few admirers in media circles with his well drilled and difficult to breakdown side, fact is that the home contingent still remain suspicious of the clubs fortunes.
Admittedly, the Premier League table hasn’t exactly been a beacon of stunning football. Still, the northerners sit in 12th position, level on points with Arsenal and 7 points from the relegation zone – queue bite hand, at start of season comments.
A lack of goals
If you were to point out the various reasons for both sides’ middling league situation, goals would be a key component. The Gunners have managed a poultry 8 goals in their last EPL outings and recently emerged as the Premier League’s draw specialists with 13.
The Magpies haven’t been strikingly different in the goals department. The side has managed 7 in as many games. You suspect however, given the glaring differences in attacking options if the two sides, Newcastle will be the most content with their haul as far.
With their recent form guides, bookies are still favouring Arsenal to come through with a win with 1.40-1.45 general odds. The next likely outcome is a draw with a 4.40-4.75 among all the big bookies. If your feeling brave, Newcastle have odds of anything from 7.40-9.00 to claim victory.
Team News
Arsenal will likely field a full strength attacking lineup including the likes of Ozil, Aubameyang and Lacazette, with the only casualties being wonderkid Reiss Nelson (hamstring), the impressive Kieran Tierney (shoulder) and centre half cover Calum Chambers (knee). Sead Kolasinac missed the draw with Burnley last time due to thigh issuest but should have recovered for this one.
As for their opponents Joelinton and Yoshinori Muto are eyeing up returns to the side, but Cult hero Andy Carroll and backup striker Dwight Gayle remain sidelined with injuries. Paul Dummett and Jetro Willems remain long term injury room casualties while key midfielder Jonjo Shelvey is still a doubt.
Key Men
Opposition defenders haven’t exactly had a hard time dealing with Newcastle’s front line. One shining light however is star man Saint-Maximin who’s performances have attracted the interest of Europe’s biggest and best clubs. If the visitors can nullify the Arsenal strikeforce, expect the enigmatic fan favourite to silence the Emirates faithful.
Apart from needing the usual suspects to grab the goals for Arsenal, the home side will be praying for no Mustafi/Luiz gaffs. Too many expected wins have turned into calamitous results for The Gunners – Mustafi the larger of the two culprits.
One player Arsenal are clinging on to change their league troubles is teenage wonderboy Martinelli who’s performance against Chelsea prior to the winter break grabbed the headlines as well as the hearts of visiting fans. A performance from the young Argentine will buoy the clubs season.
Prediction
They may have an undeniably superior attacking lineup, we feel that Saint-Maximin’s livewire style will cause the Arsenal back-line all sorts of issues. We think Newcastle may cause an upset here.
Score? Arsenal 1-2 Newcastle