Arsenal begin their New Year on Tuesday evening when they host Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium in the Premier League.
The Gunners beat Brighton 4-2 away in the last game and will look to build on that to further extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table which is already at a sizeable 7 points now. They have won five league games on the bounce and are in scintillating form at the moment.
A tough test awaits Mikel Arteta’s men against Newcastle United, who head to the Emirates Stadium on the back of a goalless draw against Leeds United.
Arsenal Team News
Arsenal will be without Gabriel Jesus and Reiss Nelson, but Emile Smith Rowe has started to train after recovering from his groin injury and could be in the matchday squad against Newcastle United.
Predicted Arsenal Lineup vs Newcastle United (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper
Aaron Ramsdale is the undisputed No.1 for Arsenal and should start against Newcastle United. He will be hoping to start the New Year at home with a clean sheet.
Defence
An unchanged back four of Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes and Oleksandr Zinchenko is expected to start ahead of Ramsdale in the Arsenal lineup. Saliba and Gabriel will marshal the defence, with White and Zinchenko operating from the full-back positions.
The Gunners’ backline must stay compact and defend as a unit in order to keep a pacey and dangerous Newcastle attack at bay.
Midfield
Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey have been mainstays in midfield, playing crucial roles in helping Arsenal to the top of the table. Partey will reprise his No.6 role in the Arsenal lineup, bringing calmness and breaking up play in the middle of the park. The Ghanaian’s presence should allow Xhaka again to make more of an impact in the final third with his late runs into the box.
With seven goals and five assists, Martin Odegaard has enjoyed a terrific season so far. He is Arsenal’s skipper and creator-in-chief and will hope to make a difference against Newcastle.
Mohamed Elneny and Albert Sambi Lokonga will be available for selection on the bench.
Attack
The front three of Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka and Eddie Nketiah have been in top form since the Premier League’s restart and will start in the Arsenal lineup.
Arteta will ask both Saka and Martinelli to stretch the Newcastle defence and create some meaningful opportunities in and around the box for Nketiah, who has deputised well in Gabriel Jesus’ injury absence with two goals in two games.
Fabio Vieira and Marquinhos will be named on the bench and might come on to influence the game in the second half. If Emile Smith Rowe has healed fully from his groin problem, he may get an opportunity for a cameo appearance off the bench.
