Home sweet home. Arsenal return to the Emirates for a Premier league fixture after last week’s torrid away trip to Fulham. Although, the mid-week home European tie would have helped to soothe some wounds and soften the criticism at last week’s display. Also, another cause of renewed optimism for Saturday’s fixture would be the return of Cesc to the line-up.
It is hard to believe that any of the other teams in the league would have come under such criticism had they put in the sort of 90 minutes that Arsenal managed at Fulham. Part of that has to do with the expectation of the football that Arsenal plays. At times, the media is awash with written words about Arsenal’s beautiful football whereas other teams are stuck with words such as “grinding out a victory” or “efficient display”. So when Arsenal do not produce the champagne display that is expected of them, then questions are raised. The title-less years are reminded, just like the red card count was recycled a few years ago everytime an Arsenal player got sent off.
On the other hand, currently Newcastle is a team whose name is not even remotely associated with winning the Premier League title. In fact, the team has not come close since 1996 when they let a 12 point lead at the top of the table slip up. Also back in 1996, Kevin Keegan let himself get sucked into the mental game traps laid by Ferguson, something that the Man Utd manager has repeatedly used over the years since. A mixed series of results followed in the years for Newcastle (including back to back trips to the F.A Cup final, only to lose on both occasions in 1998 & 1999) before things turned sour last season a few months after Big Sam’s arrival. The return of Kevin Keegan produced joy off the field but unfortunately the team’s on field display has not matched that enthusiasm that greeted his return.
With Newcastle, it is hard to know what to expect. In games where they are expected to put on a good display, they fold, while they manage to fight in games when nothing is at stake. Still to their credit they started this season with a 1-1 draw away to Man Utd, a place where they collapsed miserably seven months ago. They followed that tie with a 1-0 home win over Bolton, meaning after two games, they are one point up on Arsenal. It is not too often in the last decade that Newcastle have gone into a game against the Gunners holding a slight edge in the league table, even if only a handful of fixtures have been played.
Arsenal fans don’t need reminding of the last time the Gunners lost a home fixture to Newcastle. The 3-1 loss back in December 2001 was certainly an eventful game, with the red cards, late penalty and Henry’s outburst. Ofcourse, Arsenal went to claim the league-cup double that season in a very impressive fashion. But that game belonged to a different era with a different team. This current team is building its own memory bank of experiences as each match still presents a fresh challenge for some players.
The late fixture once again means that people on the West coast can sleep in a little before tuning in, while those in the East can enjoy their favourite alcoholic brew as they take in the game. And for those on the other side of the ocean, a slightly late night fixture.
So feel free to distill your unfiltered comments and analysis for this contest.
