Morning all.
I know we often hear Mikel Arteta say how important the fans are and he’s right of course because any stadium is a horrid place for footballers and the manager to be when fans don’t believe in what they’re seeing. Arsenal fans had years of being frustrated, angry even, because on the pitch, so much was going wrong. As talked about yesterday, Tottenham are struggling under Conte, Chelsea under Potter and they’re not the only ones. Gerrard has already been sacked this season, Moyes is fast becoming the favourite to be next whilst both Southampton and Wolves manager’s must be wondering if or indeed when, they’ll be looking for a new job.
Football seems to be simple, lose the fans support, lose your job.
I want to thank the fans. Even today, you can see their support and them coming out on New Year’s Eve. They’re probably not going to get home until the New Year so they might miss that and their families, but it shows that Arsenal means everything to them, and it means everything to us, so let’s just continue to keep doing this.
New Years Eve, a 180 mile round trip from north London to Brighton and a later kickoff but that wasn’t going to stop the away fans from making the journey in order to support the club they love. I’m sure Bukayo Saka isn’t the only player who appreciates it. It’s a two way thing, always. Arsenal aren’t getting results for any other reason than they deserve it because of the way Mikel Arteta has his team playing.
Tonight we take on Newcastle Utd who under Eddie Howe and a bit of money, are doing well. Howe is another good young coach who did really well at Bournemouth with a limited budget so it’s no great surprise to see them where they are on the League table. Without the fixture pileup European football brings with it, Newcastle must be one of the favourites to finish in the top four this season. They are still competing for the League Cup though, the FA Cup too of course.
Newcastle have five players missing through injury: Isak, Shelvey, Targett, Dummett and Krafth.
Arsenal have just the one, Gabriel Jesus. Emile Smith Rowe is back in training which is great news.
The one to stop appears to be Miguel Almirón who has nine goals to his name this season. Another is Joe Willock who Eddie Howe has been raving about and who will be out to get one over the manager who sold him.
I’ve been really pleased with Joe. He is maturing nicely and I think he has really good, raw ability. He’s very athletic, got an eye for goal, technically very good and tactically he is improving. He has been excellent for me, I have forged a good relationship with him and I really like him as a person. The big thing with Joe is I think there is a lot more in there as well, there is a lot more to come. I’m excited about his future.
Well, I hope he has a bad night tonight but even if he does, Newcastle have enough quality in the team to hurt us if we’re not focussed.
I’m looking forward to seeing who wins the midfield battle out of Thomas Partey and Bruno Guimaraes. Kieran Trippier v Gabriel Martinelli and Almirón against either Ben White or Kieran Tierney/Oleksandr Zinchenko depending on which side of the pitch he plays. With Targett ruled out, it’s likely that Bukayo Saka will be up against Dan Burn if Howe’s last two team selection’s are anything to go by.
Apart from Sven Botman, Newcastle’s back line is getting on a bit. If any attacking unit has the legs and ability to cause them big problems, it’s the young, energetic, talented and in form Arsenal’s.
This is a real test for Mikel Arteta’s group of players. People out there are starting to believe Arsenal are for real this season. Jamie Carragher, whilst berating his old club, actually muttered the words ‘I hope Arsenal win the League’. Who’d have thought eh….
Catch up in the comments.
The pressure isn’t all on Arsenal, Newcastle must be apprehensive about facing the league leaders at The Emirates. It will be a big test for them too.
I think they’ll get a free pass if they lose though because they’re rebuilding. It’s certainly a big test for both clubs, but the knives will only be out for one team if they don’t win.
Not on here though..
Morning Rico and all,
I recon the pressure will be on us more, as fans we expect a top 4 finish this season and the media will be ready to pounce if we lose, however if Newcastle lose, the media will say that was expected as Newcastle are playing above them self.
Morning Geoff.
Good post Rico, Trippier has been a key player for Newcastle this season but he’s not come up against Martinelli yet, the England man will have his hands full.
Odegaard, Partey and Xhaka have the tools to dominate and they have a score to settle, whilst Dan Burn will have a surgical examination of his left back credentials.
It should be riveting…
Thanks Kev.
Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth:
“Arsenal have got the chance to go 10 points clear tonight. I think they see this as a unique opportunity, potentially, if they can do some good business in January, they can actually win the title.
“They remain in talks for forward Mykhailo Mudryk. Negotiations are continuing over the size of the fee, but perhaps more significantly, the structure of the payments.
“One source has told us Arsenal are prepared to pay a fee closer to Shakhtar’s valuation, but there is no agreement as yet.
“Sources close to the deal feel like there will be a resolution – Mudryk will become an Arsenal player. He wants to move, that is becoming clear. Personal terms won’t be a problem.
“He’s been filming himself on social media watching Arsenal’s games. We reported last week that Shakhtar value him at around £85m. Mudryk is the priority signing.”
Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth:
“This is an interesting one. It’s emerging that Atletico Madrid would allow Joao Felix to go on loan until the end of the season.
“We’re told negotiations are ongoing between Arsenal and Atletico over a possible loan signing of Felix.
“But this is where the stumbling block is – for a six month loan, including wages Atletico want in the region of £19m. Just for six months.
“Arsenal don’t want to play that. They want to come to a realistic figure for that amount of time. With regard to the actual loan, it would work for both parties if they can secure the price.
“Potentially exciting – they’re in for both Felix and Mudryk.”
Unchanged starting line-up, ESR is not on the bench.
Over and above the £19 million we still have to pay his wages. This is too expensive without an option to buy at the end of the loan. Otherwise we pay all that money to showcase him for the ultimate benefit of Atlerico.
….Calexico too.😉
Spell check has gone crazy, “and Atltico too”
Oh hell, you know what I mean. 😕
Atletico 😂
Gary Neville really does talk rubbish..
Bitty first half. Newcastle are a dirty lot but instead of joining in, Arsenal should have just let them carry on getting booked. Until right at the end when Saka and Saliba can get their yellow card. Lol
Hmm, 0 – 0 probably the right result, we need a bit more devil in the box. Kudos to our back line not put in serious difficulty.
That referee should never again be allowed on the pitch for a Premiership game. At times it looked like he was presiding over a Magpies committee meeting.
Still only one defeat in the League.
If you can’t win it , make sure that you don’t lose it. in the words of Johan Cruyff.
We achieved that much , The ref lost it , they took advantage of his ineptitude and VAR refused two penalties.
Other than that it’s another point but the fact that we did not bring on a sub suggests that Arteta is not convinced about his squad. Which is worrying.
Other than Tomiyasu for Ben White. 😉
I can accept that but we needed something different than a full back for a full back. Still we can only hope that they give our rivals just as hard a game , but I bet when they play City , United ,Spurs and Liverpool the referees will not be so complicit.
Tomiyasu looked good when he came on, hopefully he’s rediscovered his mojo?
Gary Neville is an irritating little shit, he always has been and he still is, I can’t stand him, it ruined my enjoyment of the game having him yapping away and both he and the commentator could hide their excitement when Newcastle had a corner or a free kick, clearly showing an unprofessional bias. A right pair of wankers…
Anyway, FACup next, I hope that Arteta plays his shadow side and uses some of the kids..
As I said yesterday Felix is way too expensive unless it comes with the option to buy, I would prefer Arteta use some of that money and pay more for Mudryk if he really wants him.
I didn’t see last night’s match but from what I have read we struggled to score which is a bit concerning considering we still have to play Man C twice, however the positive was they didn’t score either, at least we got 1 point better than losing all 3 points.
Did we look tired or were Newcastle much better on the night.
I don’t think tiredness was an issue Geoff, the Magpies worked very hard in defending all over the pitch and seemed able to put two or even, at times, three defenders around Saka and Martinelli whenever they were on the ball. They deserved a point for sheer doggedness in protecting their goal.
They are a very unattractive side, but do what they do very well.
I thought Ben White looked tired, good change imo.
Dirty Barcodes, dreadful ref, dreadful VAR.
New post up now