Newcastle United are set to host Arsenal at St. James Park Stadium this Saturday. The Magpies are currently placed 18th in the Premier League, salvaging only one point from their 4 games played. Arsenal are at 9th place with 2 wins and 2 losses to their name. The visit to Cardiff will remain a memory to them and will boost their confidence for the games to come. Last game for Newcastle United was an away defeat at the Etihad, where Kyle Walker struck a brilliant goal from more than 20 yards away.
? Competitive training at all times ?
Ready for the #PL to return? pic.twitter.com/Z9bZwVCrwk
— Premier League (@premierleague) September 12, 2018
Arsenal have yet to conquer the league; even though the usual players are not catching up to their forms, it is the new recruits like Matteo Guendouzi and Sokratis Papastathopoulos who have exceeded their expectations.
Here is a prediction of Arsenal’s lineup for the upcoming game versus Newcastle United :
Goalkeeper(GK) : Petr Cech
Cech is an obvious choice for Unai Emery against Newcastle United. According to speculations, Emery has decided Bernd Leno’s competency for this spot will be tested during the Europa League phase.
Defense
Nacho Monreal
The left back has returned after being sidelined for injury for more than 3 months. His form has been spectacular as his goal against West Ham was crucial to pull the team back into their senses after they had conceded a goal to Marko Arnautovic of West Ham and will be hoping to continue the same heroics against Newcastle United.
Sokratis Papastathopoulos
The Greek centre-back has been an integral of Arsenal’s defense ever since the beginning of this season. He has shown sparks by connecting with his fellow teammate from Germany, Shkodran Mustafi.
Shkodran Mustafi
The German centre-back has shown his capability of winning aerial duels by scoring the opening goal last match. His clearances have made him worthy of the defense position he plays in, 31 clearances this seasons, ranked 3rd amongst the other players and just 4 clearances behind the first.
Hector Bellerin
He has shown tremendous composure and skill this season under the new manager. He has left tacklers to eat the dust, with a flavour of his pace and his ability to cross in delicious balls, he might just be a new ‘baller’ to the team’s intricate passing style of play and will be of great influence in attacking terms against Newcastle United.
Midfield
Matteo Guendouzi
Bagging him for £7 million undermines his abilities to pass the ball with fluidity. He has by far been the most promising player this season, also being awarded the Arsenal player of the month of August.
Granit Xhaka
Xhaka has yet to deliver for the team as he hasn’t been performing well enough although he has had opportunities to grab upon. He should be given more chances to prove his worth to the team ever since his inclusion 2 years ago.
Mesut Ozil
Scored an absolute screamer when Newcastle United visited the Emirates last season but ever since his announcement of retirement from international football which came as a shock to his fans, he has been underperforming at occasions and fans would definetly look to back him up in the cause. He needs to pull everything back together if he has to cement a reputation for the club he respects to.
Emery on Özil not having international football to deal with anymore: "The first time, maybe, he could feel different but every day with us in the work, I look at him & he looks well & happy, working with our demands every day" #Arsenal pic.twitter.com/smAtDdlSIv
— Gurjit (@GurjitAFC) September 13, 2018
Aaron Ramsey
The Welsh international can analyse the game during pressure conditions and is the right man to seek advice from. His experience over the years at Arsenal have been valid inputs to the freshers of the club and will be pivotal for moving the ball and making runs behind Newcastle United defenders.
Forwards
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
The Gabonese international had shown signs of how lethal he can be in front of the goal in pre-season but the form has dipped since the start of the Premier League. Although, he scored a wonderful goal from outside the box against Cardiff and fans would be happy to see him score versus Newcastle United and get back to the form he was in last season.
Unai Emery, take note! #Arsenal #PL pic.twitter.com/iAtUzp4jj3
— Star Sports Football (@StarFootball) September 12, 2018
Alexandre Lacazette
The Frenchman has been the most vital player for the Gunners so far in terms of attacking even though coming off from the bench in the first three matches. Stats speak for him and Emery would surely start him up front with Aubameyang playing more at the wing. Lacazette and Aubameyang have been lethal whenever started together and fans would like to see them start together again against Newcastle United.
Predicted Arsenal Lineup In Full versus Newcastle United :
