So after the humbling at Anfield last weekend we look to get back on track against Newcastle Utd. The Geordies are buoyed by the recent take over and sees Eddie Howe take the dugout for his first game in charge after missing the last game due to COVID.
Arsenal have an impressive head to head record against Newcastle at home, victorious in all 10 of the last home games. Notably a 7-3 win in 2012 and a hat trick from Theo Walcott. The last three games has seen us win all games to nil including an FA Cup fixture 2-0.
This is a chance for Arsenal to pick themselves up and dust down and get back bone normality in the fan base. With every defeat seemingly we have a baying mob waiting for it to happen to beat down the manager and the players. It is a sad state to be in, it isn’t much to ask to support anyone who plays in your colours and that includes the manager.
It looks likely that Kieron Tierney will come back into the first team now he is fully fit and available after no reaction to the game time for Scotland. There may be other changes as Arteta may use this as a good time to shake up the team looking for a further reaction from his players. Certainly there are some players who could do with a rest going into the busy December period.
Newcastle will likely stick with the team which played against Brentford last week which drew 3-3. I see Newcastle playing more expansive football under Howe and so think that this will be an open game and should have lots of chances (cue a drab 0-0). We should see a high energy start and should be looking to set the pace throughout and looking to make the breakthrough early as possible in in the game.
My prediction for the game is that we will win 2-0 today. I was speaking on Cannon Fodder TV last night and can see goals. If we scare early there is every possibility of the score becoming 4-1 or 5-1, however Newcastle will be a threat and despite their position they will be dangerous on the break so we need to guard against this threat making sure that we are balanced in the breakdown of possession and our transition without the ball is sharp and swift to gain possession back. Good luck Arsenal. Let’s do this.
