Arsenal couldn’t have wished to go into 2023 in a better position. They currently sit top of the Premier League, seven points clear. A win against Newcastle United this evening would increase Arsenal’s lead at the top of the table to TEN points. Something I couldn’t have imagined writing a year ago!
The Gunners go into tonight’s game on a five match winning run in the Premier League, since dropping points at St Mary’s on the 23rd October. Mikel Arteta will be hoping to carry on that run tonight, but what line-up will he go with?
Zinchenko, Tierney or Tomiyasu at left-back is the main talking point. For me, it showed how important the full-backs were against Brighton as Arsenal lost control of the game when both Zinchenko & Ben White were substituted. We know how good KT is defensively, however he doesn’t possess the same control & attacking threat Zinchenko does so I’d expect the Ukrainian to keep his place in the team tonight.
It’s also worth mentioning William Saliba & Bukayo Saka are both one yellow card away from a one-game suspension and what Premier League game is up next? The biggest one of the season… The North London Derby. Will both be risked tonight?
now.arsenal’s predicted line-up vs Newcastle: Ramsdale, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Xhaka, Partey, Odegaard, Saka, Nketiah, Martinelli.
I think Mikel Arteta will go with an unchanged line-up from the victory at The Amex last week. The boss constantly stresses we have to take it game-by-game and although Saka & Saliba are one yellow away from suspension, tonight comes first & like usual, I expect the strongest team possible in order to get the job done.
Newcastle certainly won’t be a push over. They currently only sit two places below The Gunners & some may even argue that the visit of the Magpies is the toughest of Arsenal’s next few fixtures which include Tottenham & Manchester United. Eddie Howe’s side may have dropped points against Leeds on New Year’s Eve, but no one at Arsenal is underestimating the challenge they pose.
