Club football will resume this weekend and Newcastle United’s tough run of fixtures will continue as they’ll take on Arsenal at St James’ Park. The Magpies have lost their last three games in all competitions and are yet to win a game this season.
Arsenal, on the other hand, have bounced back well after losing their opening two fixtures of the season which incidentally were against Manchester City and Chelsea, the same teams to have beaten Rafa Benitez’s side as well.
Despite the losses against Chelsea and City, Newcastle showed plenty of fight and the fans will hope that the team will put in a more positive and proactive performance against an Arsenal side who are in a transition period and were tested by Cardiff.
Newcastle United Team News
Matt Ritchie is back in training and could get a few minutes if not a start against Arsenal. Jonjo Shelvey’s involvement is still a doubt as he isn’t 100% fit just yet. Benitez might make a late call on the England midfielder.
Martin Dubravka and Salomon Rondon joined the team late and them making the first team will depend on what Benitez’s call.
Florian Lejeune remains a long-term absentee after going under the knife a month ago.
Predicted Newcastle United Lineup
Defence
Martin Dubravka is expected to keep his place in goal. The back three impressed against Manchester City but we could see a four-man defence come Saturday. Arsenal aren’t the most secure defensively, so there’s no point just sitting back and playing that extra defender.
Federico Fernandez and Jamaal Lascelles could start as the two centre-halves. Ciaran Clark has done reasonably well as well, but we could see Fernandez keep his place and start his third Premier League game.
DeAndre Yedlin scored against Manchester City but it wasn’t enough on the evening. The American is expected to start at right-back and his pace on the counter will be a potent weapon against an ageing and slow Arsenal backline. Paul Dummett will start on the left.
Midfield
Jonjo Shelvey would add a lot more creativity to the midfield but Rafa might not risk him as he is just returning from an injury.
Mo Diame hasn’t been himself so far this season and needs to step up. He is expected to partner Ki Sung-yueng in the midfield pivot. The latter will provide the composure in midfield with his technique and ability on the ball. His distribution will be key on the break.
The fans would love to see both Joselu and Rondon starting up front because of the aerial threat they provide, but Ayoze Perez could be a key addition to the team against Arsenal. His ability to run at the defence and elusiveness in the final third could push the Arsenal defence who have played a high line quite often this season. We expect him to start as the number 10.
Attack
Kenedy and Christian Atsu could get the nod to start as the two wide players. Arsenal have had issues in the fullback area, so the two wingers will have their chances to deliver crosses to make inroads from the wide areas and half spaces. Salomon Rondon could lead the line and his pace, strength will be a handful.
