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Newcastle United v Arsenal Match Preview

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Arsenal will need to put their European exit behind them for the long trip to Newcastle on Saturday- both mentally and physically. The damage had certainly been inflicted in the first leg against the French side and one would hope that most of the emotional remonstration had been used immediately following that game. Because in isolation, the Monaco game saw a good performance and a good result too.

The physical and mental exertion of chasing a three goal deficit from the off may have taken its toll and Arsene Wenger may assess that before selecting his team for the game against Newcastle. Aaron Ramsey will almost certainly come in you would have thought, whilst Alexis Sanchez has certainly begun to look a little leggy in recent weeks.

For their part, Newcastle boss John Carver alleges that he has only 13 fit outfield players to choose from and a pair of goalkeepers. The Magpies boss says he will resist the temptation to throw in too many untested youngsters for the visit of in form Arsenal, suggesting that it`s not quite the right time. Match of the Day pundit Phil Neville stung Carver with claims that Newcastle are “already on the beach.”

Realistically, they are in little danger of relegation and too far away to challenge for Europe. Whether the claims will have stung them enough to raise an improved performance remains to be seen. They capitulated quite readily to Everton last Sunday. There again, I`m not sure I recall Arsenal ever having an easy league game at St. James` Park and the Gunners will need to blow away some cobwebs in preparation.

Vital Quotes:

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is expecting a difficult game as the Gunners aim for a fifth straight league victory, “We have good memories at Newcastle but they are always very tight, very difficult games. They are in a position where they are not under threat to go down. They always have a very motivated crowd and they always play well against us, which makes it a tight game. West Ham was a very physical game and we paid for it in the second half of the Monaco game – it is a concern.

“John Carver is a permanent manager. The length of our permanence today is very difficult to define. The average life expectancy of a manager in England is 12 months, so it is very difficult to predict how long any of us will be in charge. He has the qualities to do the job.”

Wenger is also playing down any suggestion that Arsenal may still be in the title race, telling arsenal.com, “At the moment we are too far away from Chelsea,” the manager said. “But we have an opportunity every week to get closer and for that we need positive results from us, and negative results from Chelsea.

“The only thing we can master is positive results from us. I believe Chelsea still has a very good cushion and very good security. They still have a game in hand so I believe they are too far apart at the moment.

“It is very tight. We are on the neck of Manchester City but straight behind us we have Manchester United and Liverpool. Even Tottenham and Southampton are not completely out of it.

“It is down to our performances until the end of the season. I do not say second is good. I just think how can we win our next game at Newcastle, after giving it all on Tuesday night.”

Meanwhile, Newcastle manager John Carver is left counting the cost of injuries, with just 15 senior players to choose from, “”I`ve had big challenges in the past and this is one of the biggest. It`s my job to prepare the team to bounce back from Everton. We are a small group and it`s a difficult time, but the only way you get through it is by sticking together and smiling.

“Arsenal are a good footballing side who like to play, so we have to be patient. But we have one or two things up our sleeve. It`s down to me to work with the players we`ve got. Nobody else can help, other than my staff who are great. We will work on it and have to look at different options now. We are down to the bare bones.

“I will work with what I`ve got because that`s my job, and that`s what I get paid for. There`s not much skin left on the bone to be honest. But just when you think you are getting somewhere with Jack Coback and Remy Cabella coming back, you lose your captain for three games. We`ve lost him for a derby. And he`s not played in many derby games lately.”

Newcastle United Team News:

Newcastle have Remy Cabella and Jack Colback back, but are without Papiss Cisse and Fabricio Coloccini, who are both suspended. Siem de Jong, Cheick Tiote, Massadio Haidara, Steven Taylor and Paul Dummett are all unavailable as well.

Newcastle United (from); Krul, Taylor, Williamson, Sissoko, Anita, Gouffran, Colback, Ferreryra, Aarons, Ayoze, Gutiérrez, Cabella, Elliott, Janmaat, Obertan, Ameobi, Rivière, Abeid, Good.

Player to watch: Moussa Sissoko

Sissoko was linked with Arsenal in January, he can provide the springboard for attack for Newcastle. His leggy runs from deep will be vital in relieving pressure on the Magpies defence and turning defence into attack for the home side.

Arsenal Team News:

The Gunners welcome Tomas Rosicky back from a virus, but otherwise, have no new team news from Tuesday night`s 2-0 win over Monaco. Mathieu Debuchy (shoulder), Alex Oxlade Chamberlain (hamstring) and Mikel Arteta (ankle) are all three weeks away from fitness. Jack Wilshere (ankle) is not yet ready,

Arsenal (from) Szczesny, Gibbs, Mertesacker, Gabriel, Koscielny, Rosicky, Özil, Giroud, Ospina, Walcott, Ramsey, Alexis, Monreal, S.Cazorla, Flamini, Chambers, Welbeck, Coquelin, Akpom, Bellerin.

Player to watch: Aaron Ramsey

Ramsey will more than likely come back into the central midfield for Arsenal as the link between Coquelin and Cazorla / Özil. Ramsey has scored in his last two games, but ensured that his defensive duties have been in check too. You sense that if he can keep those hamstrings in good health, that we may be glimpsing last season`s form again before too long.

Match Facts & Stats

Newcastle have won just one of their last six games. Arsenal have won their last four.

Arsenal have won each of their last six games against Newcastle, with a total aggregate scoreline of 18-5.

Newcastle have not scored in their last three Barclays Premier League home matches against Arsenal.

Olivier Giroud has netted six goals in five league appearances against Newcastle.

St James’ Park has had the joint-most goals netted in the final 15 minutes of matches (13 along with Emirates Stadium).

Stats courtesy of opta

Ref Watch:

The referee will be Mike Jones.

Match Prediction:

I think Arsenal will do just enough to win 1-0, Özil with the goal.

Next Fixtures:

Arsenal are at home to Liverpool at 12.45pm on Saturday, 4th April. Newcastle will play away at Sunderland on Sunday, 5th April.

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