Morning all.

When the rich and famous rolled into Newcastle Utd in October 2021, great things were expected from the northern club. At least that’s what the so called footballing experts told us. Great wealth, one of Englands best coaches in Eddie Howe, yes, Man City’s dominance in the Premier League was about to be seriously challenged.

Three years later, they’re sitting in 12th place having picked up 12 points from a possible 27. Their last league win at St James Park was on the 1st September when they beat Totts 2-1. Just a few days ago though, they defeated Chelsea 2-0 in the League Cup. I’ve watched some of the highlights of that match and Chelsea’s defending was shocking, their finishing wasn’t any better either. Newcastle certainly press hard and fast from the front which was evident with their first goal although I thought there was a foul in the buildup.

As much as their league form has been average to say the least, Howe has a lot of very good players at his disposal. Isak, Bruno, Joelinton, Willock, Gordon, Tonali, Schar and Wilson to name a few. If they click, they’ll be a difficult side to beat.

During his pre-match press conference, Mikel Arteta spoke about our walking wounded:

On Gabriel’s availability:

We have a training session today. If he can complete that, he’ll be available. He hasn’t had any training sessions yet, but if he’s able to do that today, he’ll be available to be in the squad.

On Calafiori, White and Odegaard:

Riccardo and Martin are out definitely. With Ben, we don’t know yet. He hasn’t trained yet. He could not train, he could not get involved, so let’s wait and see if he’s available.

This time last year, Arsenal went to St James’ Park unbeaten. The game was spicy that’s for sure with Kai Havertz rather fortunate to escape a sending off for a nasty challenge on Sean Longstaff, Guimaraes was equally as fortunate to not see red for his elbow into the face of Jorginho, smashing the ball into Kai Havertz and then getting involved in a spat with Declan Rice.

To this day, their winning goal still irks me because of how it came about. I’m pretty sure that had it have been us scoring that goal, either the ball would have been deemed to have gone out of play, as Joe Willock confirmed, or the foul on Gabriel just before they scored would have been spotted by VAR even it it took them five minutes to check. Mikel Arteta made his feelings more than clear after the game.

I think it’s fair to say that a year ago, many Arsenal fans were wondering why on earth the club had wasted £60m on Kai Havertz along with bringing David Raya to the club on loan when we already had Aaron Ramsdale. Yep, I was one of those fans who’d thought Mikel Arteta was bonkers for making those two decisions. However, I’ve long scoffed my rather large piece of humble pie.

Our outfield substitute options last year consisted of Reiss Nelson, Cedric Soares, Mo Elneny and Jakub Kiwior.

Fast forward again and we have a much stronger squad albeit with a few players missing. But we have Ethan Nwaneri, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Leandro Trossard, Mikel Merino, Thomas Partey, Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling – none of whom were involved last year for one reason or another. Hopefully Ben White and Gabriel are available too.

I hope we batter Newcastle at lunchtime today, I really do. I think it’ll be another feisty affair because as much as last seasons fixture is in the past, it’ll be in the players and managers minds. Arsenal players just need to make sure it’s they who keep their heads…

Catch up in the comments.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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