Newcastle United v Arsenal match preview
Posted on February 4th, 2011 | 41 Comments |
Newcastle are in fact the highest scoring team outside the top 4 – although Carroll accounted for 11 of our 36 goals – and we’re going to need to rediscover our scoring form if we intend to finish the season with a flourish. Arsenal are going to provide tough opposition and we really can’t allow them to settle and gain control of the game.
Chiek Tiote will be available for selection after serving a three match ban but we have Ameobi, Ben Arfa, Gosling, Ireland, Smith, Raylor and Saylor on the injury list. I suspect Tiote will come straight in for Guthrie and I would guess we’ll start with Best and either Ranger or Lovenkrands up front.
Arsenal also have a player back from suspension with Sebastien Squillaci but Alex Song joins Denilson, Nasri, Fabianski, Frimpong and Vermaelen in the treatment room.
Of Tiote’s return, Pardew said:
“Other than perhaps a sloppy goal at Fulham we’ve been very sound.
“We’ve gained a good collection of points over the last few weeks and obviously have Cheick back tomorrow.
“If I’m slightly smiling it’s because he’s such an important player to us and I’m so pleased to have him back.
“He hasn’t been a big loss because in the three games he’s missed we’ve been terrific in that area.
“But there’s no doubt that he comes back into the team. That’s the quality he has and that he brings to the side.
“Unfortunately someone’s going to miss out tomorrow who probably doesn’t deserve to, but he has to come back in. He’s very, very important.”
On Shola’s injury and the possibility of getting in some short-term relacement, Pardew said:
“Shola is going to have a procedure on Tuesday and we will then know a little bit more from that.
“There is a fracture there and we will have to find out what the time-length is.
“There’s one or two players we are looking at. I don’t think we are going to get anybody who can impact on the first team.
“But on the bench I need to turn around and see players who can impact the game, so we will perhaps look into that market for one, and maybe two, if necessary.”
It’s good to know Shola’s having a ‘procedure’ as they’re extremely useful.
Newcastle (from): Harper, Simpson, Williamson, Coloccini, Jose Enrique, Barton, Nolan, Guthrie, Gutierrez, Tiote, Best, Lovenkrands, Ranger, Krul, Campbell, Perch, Ferguson, Richardson.
Arsenal (from): Szczesny, Sagna, Djourou, Koscielny, Clichy, Squillaci, Diaby, Wilshere, Bendtner, Walcott, Fabregas, Rosicky, Arshavin, van Persie, Almunia, Eboue, Gibbs, Chamakh.
Kick off is at 15:00 on Saturday and Stuart Attwell officiates.
HWTL!
Nolan could play up top, with Ranger playing off him, hope Nile grabs a goal in the next couple of games and starts to fill his boots.
Stick Barton back in the middle, he’ll be less effective on the right without Carroll,… Alongside tiote.
Jonas on the right,. And let’s have a look at ferguson on the left?
Can’t help myself looking at the team really,.. But am still fully depressed with the owner, the manager and the team.
For the first time in my life I predict we will get a mauling off Arsenal tomro., and will fully struggle the remaider if the season.
Such a shame, and so demorilising… Can’t seem to stop sulking