Recent History:
Out of the last 12 league encounters between the two, Arsenal have won 6, drawn 4 and lost twice. Their last loss against Newcastle was an away defeat in the 2005/06 season when Solano scored the only goal in the 82nd minute. The other defeat was a home game in the 2001/02 double season when Arsenal lost 3-1. That game was best known for some key decisions going against Arsenal, including Ray Parlour’s sending off and a last minute penalty. I still remember how Shearer tried to prevent the referee from sending off Parlour, a commendable gesture that you wouldn’t find in his later playing years. And then there was Henry’s outburst against the referee which got him banned for a few games. Whatever the outcome of that loss, Arsenal didn’t lose any more games that season to win an amazing double.
Mention must also be made of Dennis Bergkamp’s genius work of art away to Newcastle in that 2001/02 season which won him the goal of the season award.
Current Form:
Overall, out of the 14 unbeaten league games this season, Arsenal have scored 31 goals making them the highest scoring team in the league. The 11 goals Arsenal have conceded in those 14 games put their defense in 4th place behind Liverpool, ManU and Chelsea. Out of their 6 away games this season, Arsenal have won 4 and drawn twice while scoring 11 goals and conceding 5.
Currently, Newcastle are in shambles. Even though Titus Bramble has left Newcastle, his spirit still haunts the toon defense. Newcastle are winless in 5 games and that stretch includes two horrible home defeats — 4-1 to Portsmouth and 3-0 Liverpool.
Big Sam:
For me, the lasting image from Newcastle’s defeat to Liverpool defeat is a picture of two Newcastle fans letting Sam Allardyce know what they thought of him. It is hard to believe that this is the same Sam Allardyce who turned Bolton into Arsenal’s bogey team. A lot of speculation surrounding Wednesday’s game has to do with Alan Shearer replacing Big Sam if Newcastle lose to Arsenal. So it will be interesting to see what Newcastle team steps onto the pitch – a team with something to prove or one with an air of resignation.
That game in hand:
For the last few weeks, it has been reassuring to look at the table and know that Arsenal are top with a game in hand. Well tomorrow’s match is that game in hand. So it is essential Arsenal pick up three points to put some daylight between them and the others before the critical games on Dec 16 (when the big four clash) and the Christmas stretch.
Over to you guys for predictions and line-ups.
45 Responses to “Newcastle vs Arsenal”
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December 4th, 2007 at 2:42 pm
Ade, Dudu
Eboue, Diarra, Bert, Rosicky
Clichy,Toure, Gallas, Sagna
Almunia
3-0 to the Arsenal
December 4th, 2007 at 2:42 pm
Ade, Dudu
Eboue, Diarra, Bert, Rosicky
Clichy,Toure, Gallas, Sagna
Almunia
3-0 to the Arsenal
December 4th, 2007 at 3:51 pm
The injuries are tough,but it is good to have the consistency along the backline. Arsenal will win 2-1.
December 4th, 2007 at 3:57 pm
Last year’s 1-0 defeat at St James’ was a classic “year of transition” nightmare. We got roughed off the ball constantly and let it get to us. They rattled us - especially Shearer, who was all elbows, goading on the crowd, so even the ref turned against us.
This year, I am looking forward to some sweet revenge. They’ve still got some tough nuts - I wouldn’t want to meet Milner on a dark night, or daylight for that matter - but we can knock the wind out of them, even without Cesc or Hleb.
Watching that Villa second half again - more objectively - you could say that defensively we were great, restricting Villa to a string of hopeful crosses and long balls. Yes, they hit the bar and forced one goal mouth scramble, but otherwise they were restricted to potshots from distance. They never unlocked us the way ManUre did.
Our big problem was ceding the midfield. We rarely played our way out of defence, at least until Gilberto came on, and we didn’t retain possession. We lost our midfield tempo with the constant running that creates constant angles and passes.
Essentially, we lost our composure (I won’t use the word bottle!) and resorted to hoofing very hopeful balls to Adebayor. He’s game, but he’s not Superman!
Also, we made it harder with a string of wayward passes, at least 8 unforced errors, that simply allowed Villa to launch another attack. Flamini and Diarra were the main culprits, along with Rosicky, who definitely slipped from sight.
Crucially, but not fatally, we failed to punish them on the counterattack - not one save! For that we need speed and pinpoint passing.
The much maligned Mazza makes a v. good point that all this happened BEFORE Hleb went off, so let’s hope Wenger fine-tunes his midfield. Villa was a mental lesson too - it’s not often we’ve defended a half-time lead this season. Mostly, we get fired up chasing the game or the breakthrough. Well, the next step is chasing the killer third goal to totally deflate a home side.
I don’t expect Newcastle to sit back. They didn’t play that badly on Saturday. And, as Sam well knows, Arsenal can be kept quiet if they are out hustled. But the difference so far is that we can’t be beaten by that method if all you’ve got is long balls and high crosses.
I’ll go for 2-0.
So bearing that in mind,
December 4th, 2007 at 4:55 pm
Newcastle are in the midst of a losing run, so that may make them more dangerous. Say, if we were a side like West Ham or Derby, a win to Newcastle wouldn’t take the pressure of Big Sam’s back much. But here is Arsenal, a big fish, a win for the Toons, it would significantly cool the heat, and buy the time big Sam needed to build his team there.
+ the fact they are now with their backs against the wall. A team like that could be more dangerous than usual.
December 4th, 2007 at 6:38 pm
There is always cause for concern when playing a team in the situation Toon is. I think the second half of the Villa game will serve as some humble pie for us, and we will be more focused thruout this game. Arsenal 2 - 0.
December 4th, 2007 at 7:19 pm
Too many injuries for Arsenal. If they come away with a point, it will be a good result.
December 4th, 2007 at 7:36 pm
The only league game so far where the trio of Cesc, Hleb and Flamini were missing was that 2-0 home win over Wigan. The line-up that day was:
Almunia, Clichy, Gallas, Sagna, Toure, Eboue,Denilson, Diarra, Rosicky, Adebayor, Walcott.
Although, the three did not start in the 3-0 home win over Sparta but Cesc came on late in that game.
It should be a tough physical game. I still remember how Faye gave Arsenal problems when he was at Bolton. And then there is Viduka. Big and difficult to handle. Can’t erase that last minute goal he scored (for Leeds) to kick Arsenal’s 2003 title away.
If Hleb or Cesc were playing, then I could have seen Barton giving them a Carew like lovingly treatment.
December 4th, 2007 at 7:50 pm
I can’t see Walcott starting this game like he did against Wigan. Gilberto will probably come in and sit in front of the defense. Does that mean Ade will be isolated up front?
Hoping for some early goal(s) which might result result in a player revolt with some Newcastle players fighting with each other and the fans getting upset at Big Sam. But players from the same team don’t fight with each other, right? :)Where is Bowyer when you need him?
December 4th, 2007 at 8:22 pm
Not certain which way we will go with all our midfield injuries, but on current form I can see Arsene starting with a 4-4-2 formation as follows:
Almunia
Sagna Toure Gallas Clichy
Eboue Gilberto Diarra Rosicky
Edu Ade
The back four is all set and Diarra can not co-exist with Denilson in the middle. Gilberto will be inserted to provide the defensive protection and stability which will be needed against a dangerous Newcastle strike team. Again, Ade and Bendtner can not co-exist at the front so it would be logical to give Edu a deserved start.
It’s not going to happen, but I would love to see how a strike partnership of Edu and Bendtner would perform against a mid level Premiership team.
The big problem with this team is that Rosicky tends to get lost when playing on the left without Cesc and Hlieb and Diarra or Denilson are still too defensive at this stage of their careers and therefore goals may be hard to come by.
An alternative would be to play Rosicky in the middle with Gilberto and put Walcot on the left. However, Walcott tends to disappear when he is on the left regardless of who is playing. Lack of a natural left winger since Reyes was sold is still a weakness with this squad. Arsene tried Edu in that position against Seville and we all saw the ghastly consequences. I still think we need a natural left winger and just maybe Arsene is really looking at Modric in the transfer window to fill that need over time. Although Modric plays in the center, he also plays left and seems to be left footed.
Prediction: Arsenal 1-0 Newcastle
December 4th, 2007 at 8:25 pm
Ade
Eboue, Thomas Theo
Flamini, Diarra
Sanga, Gallas, Toure, Clichy
Almunia
December 4th, 2007 at 8:28 pm
would like to see Bendtner get a start…. but this is a game to ensure some breathing room between us and the pack
December 4th, 2007 at 9:11 pm
1-1
I hope I’m wrong, and that Arsenal wins.
December 4th, 2007 at 9:31 pm
i hope we play 4-4-2 and apply enough pressure to them early enough. 4-5-1 without hleb is utterly useless.
December 4th, 2007 at 11:06 pm
Responding to Fred.
Actually, Rosicky’s natural position is at attacking midfield and played there for his previous club Borussia Dortmund and for the Czech national team. He and Hlieb has the same game and would normally play the role which has now been gifted to Cesc.
In reality, we could replace the injured Hlieb with Rosicky in a 4-5-1 configuration.
December 4th, 2007 at 11:30 pm
I had a good feeling before the Villa even without Cesc and Hleb, but not for this one. Newcastle have their backs to the wall and will try every trick possible to bend and break the rules. A lot depends on how the ref handles this game.
I definitely wouldn’t start with Walcott. I would go with Bendtner, even if he has to play on the wings. He can handle the physical side and knows how to hold the ball and pass it. We need passers in the absence of Cesc and Hleb.
Without Cesc and Hleb, Rosicky goes completely missing. I would push him more central forcing him to get involved and take charge. It’s about time he does something on his own.
In CM, Gilberto vs Denilson is a tough call. One provides defensive cover while the other is supposed to be a good passer. That may be Wenger’s toughest call for the night.
Almunia
Sagna Toure Gallas Clichy
Eboue Gilberto Diarra Bendtner
Rosicky Ade
December 4th, 2007 at 11:37 pm
Reports say that Faye will miss the game. That should make it easier for us to score.
December 5th, 2007 at 12:27 am
Almunia
Sagna Toure Gallas Clichy
Eboue Gilbo Diarra Rosicky
Ade Dudu
1-0 Arsenal. Eduardo scores his first league goal.
December 5th, 2007 at 1:10 am
@Michael Magnus - “Diarra can not co-exist with Denilson in the middle”
Didn’t Diarra and Denilson play together in the middle against an almost full strength Newcastle side in the Carling Cup? I remember it being a pretty impressive performance.
Because of that Carling Cup match, I am curious to see how AW plays this one. The Newcastle team had a lot of first team members in the team sheet that evening. The only real difference is that this match is away. Is that reason enough to go play a more conservative 4-5-1. I hope it is not but I have a feeling AW will go with it.
I would like to see
Ade Walcott
Rosicky Diarra Denilson Eboue
Clichy Toure Gallas Sagna
(Eduardo can be interchanged with Walcott but I don’t think we will see Theo on the flank at any point in this one)
December 5th, 2007 at 1:39 am
You can’t play Walcott or Eduardo on the wing because they do not provide the cover that Rosicky does. Bendtner would be an interesting choice on the wing but unproven. I would much rather give Kieran Gibbs a start because he looked very solid when he got some early chances. I would be surprise if Rosicky starts centrally because we need defense in the opening twenty away from home.
If Denilson starts with Diarra then you know Gilberto is done for. I would prefer that pairing for its dynamism. Gilberto would/could then come on late if we are defending a lead. His response would be telling.
We ’should’ be able to gut this defense.
December 5th, 2007 at 1:45 am
@ 15: hleb and rosicky DONT have the same game. hleb is a dribbler/controller, rosicky cant really dribble……he is more of a runner.
and what do you mean “gifted” to Cesc? are u implying cesc didnt earn the right to play AM/CM?
anyway, the position between the midfield and the forwards that is available in a 4-5-1 should be filled by someone who can actually “unlock” a defense. ie. somebody who can make a dribble and an inspired pass. rosicky’s game does not revolve around that. he is a good passer, but is not up to the level of fabregas or hleb. and he cant dribble a man standing. he makes runs.
i think its best to leave him on the leftwing….especially when we have eduado, bendtner and walcott who can play up front. plus 4-4-2 is our best formation no doubt.
Actually, Rosicky’s natural position is at attacking midfield and played there for his previous club Borussia Dortmund and for the Czech national team. He and Hlieb has the same game and would normally play the role which has now been gifted to Cesc.
In reality, we could replace the injured Hlieb with Rosicky in a 4-5-1 configuration.
December 5th, 2007 at 2:37 am
This is a better squad talent wise than their performance of late. But, Big Sam has them playing his typical style of crap football. God is it dreadful to watch. Dead men hoofing it 40 yards downfield.
Newcastle United 0 Arsenal 3.
May it continue…
December 5th, 2007 at 6:04 am
Does anyone know why Liverpool are not playing their game in hand this week? That would have got all 20 EPL teams on par with 15 games played.
December 5th, 2007 at 6:42 am
This is my preferred line-up:
Almunia,
Sagna, Toure, Gallas, Clichy
Eboue, Rosicky, Gilberto, Traore
Adebayor, da Silva
Adebayor is too much for Newcastle’s maligned defense. But he’s going to need a strike partner. I don’t care who partners Ade but we should not play a 4-5-1 against these guys. That formation only works when Hleb is on the pitch supporting the striker. It didn’t work Saturday after Hleb went off and we lost to Sevilla and drew Slavia Prague playing a Hleb-less 4-5-1. Besides, their weakness is defense so it’s only logical that we attack them where they’re most vulnerable. If we don’t stay positive then this match will be much tougher than it needs to be.
We can not allow Newcastle to attack us the way that Villa did in the second half on Saturday. If we stay on the attack then Martins is their only threat with pace enough to concern us. If they have a lot of the ball in our half, they have better finishers than Villa and we’d have to contend with the likes of Viduka, Barton, Emre, and Milner.
December 5th, 2007 at 9:24 am
Almunia
Sagna/Toure/Gallas/Clichy
Eboue/Diarra/Flamini/Rosicky
Adebayor/Da Silva
I can see several formations with Gilberto but what I don’t like about Gilberto is that he lacks pace and he’s not dynamic enough. I don’t think we function with both Flamini and Gilberto from the start.
December 5th, 2007 at 9:30 am
Ahh.. I didn’t know flamster was out. Darn. Now what ?
Eboue/Gilberto/Diarra/Rosicky
December 5th, 2007 at 10:46 am
I agree with most posts- let’s go with 4-4-2 with Walcott as 1 of the 2 either starting or as a sub. I would like to see Ade and Walcott paired up front for part of the game just to see how that pairing works. With the CMs available our defense should be fine without putting 5 in the middle.
I do like the idea of Traore on the left wing- a bit of defense yet pace to attack and between him and Clichy a lightning quick attack or counterattack would be a thing of beauty. Will Rosicky go 90 in this match after playing Saturday? I don’t think so and I’d be concerned about injury as well.. 75 min sub…
Imagine, Walcott on as a 65 min sub, Traore on at 75- adding pace towards the end of a game with a tired Newcastle back 4. Love it…
Worried a bit about the game with so many of our skilled technical players out but looking for a pleasant surprise. 2-0 would be wonderful..
December 5th, 2007 at 12:13 pm
I’m looking at a 1-0. There simply isn’t enough creativity there for us to score 3-0. Ofcourse if we score from set pieces it’s a different matter. Still that in itself is doubtful. Rosicky needs to lift the team again today. I’m not sure why Eduardo isn’t starting - Wenger has to be either the greatest visionary in the world or maybe more likely Eduardo isn’t yet ready :).
I guess we’re all eager to see how a new guy plays; thats why we’re out here putting his name on every line up and then groaning when he doesn’t start. If he did start and flopped we’d moan about “unproven talent”. So best thing is to leave it to the boss IMO.
December 5th, 2007 at 12:38 pm
@23 I have been trying to figure that one out for a while too…basically if you look at the fixture list, the Pool - West ham game is missing. If I recall correctly, that game was postponed earlier this season, but I dont think it has been announced when it will be re-played. Pool and Ham could have a game in hand for a while.
December 5th, 2007 at 12:39 pm
GunningSteve, I’d settle for 1-0 to the Arsenal.
Being a country boy from the south I’m kinda simple and don’t really know what bottle means. Where I’m from we don’t use that word (not in that way) but we do talk about winning as that’s all that matters. Some people say it’s not whether you win or lose but how you play the game or something stupid like that. That’s what you tell little kids so they won’t go out and kill themselves after they get their asses kicked.
If the “how you play the game” spirit is bottle then you can keep that shit and give me the three points. As long as it’s not negative and it’s not cheating, I’ll take three point however I can get them.
December 5th, 2007 at 1:52 pm
Actually something struck me later on in that thread but I didnt want to add fat to the fire that time. Its actually simple if you take a common literary meaning:
Bottling = Putting a cap on whatever there is in the bottle.
So what is in the bottle is the key. So if free football is not played then we bottled it. Which is true but what if the cap is forced on? Did you bottle it even then?
I mean if Berbatov had come off with his dribble he could have said ” I didnt bottle it” but what now? At what cost has he not bottled it?
Forget it. I’ve lost it .. its 11:30pm here and the game’s not starting for another two hours and I have to go to work tomorrow.Hence I am allowed to talk nonsense
December 5th, 2007 at 1:53 pm
@joshuad:29- Come on now. You’d prefer Chelsea over the last 3 years then to what we’ve tried to do? Don’t kid me
December 5th, 2007 at 1:56 pm
lol@SachinG — Titus Bramble’s spirit lol lol. Did you see that Wigan goal he gifted away last week?
December 5th, 2007 at 3:53 pm
Oh my goodness! What a f’in beautiful goal! Well done Eboue and Ade!
December 5th, 2007 at 3:54 pm
1-0! 4mins.
Blimey, that didn’t take long. I hadn’t even wrapped up my work to head off the Fox and Hounds.
Any chance of Newcastle staging a Seville-style comeback?
December 5th, 2007 at 4:06 pm
LDE, yeah I saw his gift to Wigan. That was a beauty.
Well Arsenal got the early goal. I am hoping for another before the revolt will start….maybe..
December 5th, 2007 at 4:09 pm
Saw this on eurosport.com
SHOCKING CHALLENGE! Smith goes straight through the back of Gallas as the defender tries to shepherd the ball back to his goalkeeper. The referee has a word with the fiery England man, but keeps his card in his pocket
This is what I had feared from Newcastle. Smith and Barton specials.
Here’s my revised wish from this game. Besides a win, no more Arsenal injuries.
December 5th, 2007 at 4:23 pm
I’m such a spoilt brat… now that we’ve scored one I’m wanting another…
Maybe I’m scared that in the second half we’ll either BOTTLE it or we will be BOTTLED!
December 5th, 2007 at 4:28 pm
There’s no live teelcast here…and its 2:00am and I am pissed..
… Hope we dont BOTTLE it second half…
December 5th, 2007 at 4:36 pm
I hope Alumunia won’t get found out on his tendency to clue to the line. The 1st half he looked shaky whenever a cross throw into our penalty box.
December 5th, 2007 at 5:40 pm
It’s a point. That’s about the only positive thing I can say for now. A very frustrating display.
December 5th, 2007 at 5:45 pm
Point gained or two points lost?
Not seen the game but reading the comments, there were quite a few chances wasted. And Newcastle turned on the pressure near the end but how did that happen? Since this was that game in hand, a full 3 points would have been ideal.
December 5th, 2007 at 5:49 pm
With the lineup we sent out, and it being on the road, I’m trying to see it as a point gained. I guess it’s good that we still draw when we play bad (for now) while Man U and Chelsea have lost when they had bad games.
Still, I’m not going to argue with anyone who calls this 2 points lost, there was plenty to be upset about out there.
December 5th, 2007 at 5:52 pm
A frustrating display on many levels. Besides Diarra, I can’t think of anyone that had a particularly good game. Hopefully, the injured players come back soon because Arsenal desperately needed someone to calm down the game and string a few passes together.
And hopefully this doesn’t sound sour, but I would be imminently more depressed if I was a Newcastle fan after that performance. The prospect of watching football that ugly and cheap, every week, would make me ill.
December 6th, 2007 at 3:16 am
@lde 29, I said as long as they weren’t cheating or negative.
@BrendanK 44, I thought on Saturday and last night that the game desperately could have done with Denilson coming on. The one thing he does do well is keep the ball and make good passes.