Arsenal v Newcastle United Preview: six in a row?

Matt Ritchie – chroniclelive.co.uk

Andy Carroll’s header helped Newcastle United to a 1-0 victory in North London back in November 2010, but Arsenal won the subsequent five home fixtures by a combined score of 17-5.

On Saturday though, neither they nor their hosts will approach the game in especially positive mood. Newcastle have picked up just one point from their last eight, which came in a 2-2 draw at West Bromwich Albion.

The Magpies have a reasonable midfield: wide man Matt Ritchie and central midfielder Mikel Merino had good games in the 1-0 defeat at Everton in midweek. The problem is that they are not always capitalizing on their positive moments their midfielders conjure up with ruthlessness in advanced areas, six goals scored in their last eight.

Joselu hasn’t proved the reliable goalscorer he was hoped to be when he signed from Stoke in the summer. He was dropped for the first time in a while in midweek, but Mohamed Diame didn’t prove a better forward partner for Dwight Gayle, who has three goals in five but can struggle when asked to lead the line.

The ex-Crystal Palace man at least succeeded where other Arsenal players failed in getting the better of David De Gea. In some ways, the Gunners were unlucky to lose 3-1 to Manchester United at the beginning of the month, with Alexis Sanchez and co. denied only by a string of great saves from the super Spanish stopper.

In other ways though, they weren’t unlucky. They had gifted their visitors a head start with poor defending from Laurent Koscielny and Shkodran Mustafi in the early stages. Arsene Wenger’s side didn’t learn their lesson because, when they travelled to Southampton eight days later, Per Mertesacker’s third-minute error allowed Charlie Austin to strike.

A dominant second half display at St Mary’s was at least partially rewarded by the impact of substitute Olivier Giroud, who scored a late equalizer. The Frenchman has become a bit-part player this term, starting just once in the league, due to the performances of the attacking trio.

We saw what Mesut Ozil, Alexandre Lacazette and Alexis Sanchez can do in the 5-2 win at Everton back in October. Ozil provides subtle creativity, Sanchez skill and craft, while Lacazette brings pace and ruthlessness in front of goal. At their best they interchange seamlessly and it is no coincidence that Wenger’s men have scored 16 goals in the seven games those players have started together.

It does make one wonder what the team could achieve if they were more switched on from the outset. The positive performances of Jack Wilshere answers some questions – in terms of the link between the midfield and that attacking trio – but it also opens up other questions defensively. His presence in the middle would mean that Granit Xhaka will be the deepest man in front of the defence and that brings it’s own problems.

If the Switzerland international goes into a rash challenge with Merino or Isaac Hayden, guaranteed to start after Jonjo Shelvey’s suspension, the likes of Koscielny and Nacho Monreal, the  two centre-backs at the London Stadium, become exposed. It is possible that Gayle, who has netted inside the first quarter of an hour at Stamford Bridge and Old Trafford, will exploit any gaps early on.

However, even with the boost of Jamaal Lascelles’ return to full fitness, Newcastle will need a fine performance from their goalkeeper to keep Ozil, Sanchez and Lacazette at bay. With Karl Darlow struggling for confidence after his error against Everton, it could be a tough afternoon for The Magpies.

It is hard to see them avoiding a sixth straight defeat in this part of the capital.

The Football Lab’s Verdict: 3-1