Match Preview: Arsenal v Newcastle United; EPL Match Day 28

After the Liverpool match we talked about how Arsenal’s Champion’s League destiny is in their own hands now. Well, against Newcastle they get to go out as the only match on display and show that they can get it done.

With another weekend of favorable results Arsenal have a chance to make up further ground in their fight for Champion’s League qualification. Chelsea were the only team around them to win. Tottenham continue to slide back down to earth and Liverpool surely cemented their place outside the top 4.  That leaves it all up to the Gunners.

Win and close the gap between us and Spurs to 1 point and move ahead of Chelsea by 3. Lose and remain in 4th but with the task increasingly harder.

Newcastle for their own part won’t make it easy on the Gunners. In the last two matches the two teams have drawn with an Arsenal player sent off in each match. However, the Newcastle team coming to the Emirates is now devoid of the personality that is Joey Barton and since his departure, Newcastle have been nearly perfect. The continue to push or a top spot but in recent weeks they’ve begun a gradual slide. In their recent run they’ve lost 3 of their last 4 away matches two of them by a combined score of 10-2 (5-2 v Fulham and 5-0 v Spurs). Additionally, as good as they’ve been good going forward they’ve been awful against strong counter attacks.

The Arsenal line up is devoid of any fresh injuries. Mikel Arteta is back after being rested following a possible concussion suffered at Anfield. Andre Santos could also feature for Arsenal as he has returned to the squad. His return gives Arsenal a full cadre of fullbacks for the first time since mid fall. Yossi Benayound is struggling with a virus and may not be in the squad. And finally Aaron Ramsey will be back after suffering an injury in the FA Cup.

Slowly but surely Arsenal are getting back to full health. With all superfluous competitions over Arsenal only will play once a week. That should help the recovery process and their run to secure the coveted Champion’s League spot. And they are hitting their stride at an unlikely time. Here it is mid March and they are on a run of 4 league wins in a (5 in all competitions).

And there is no place like home. In their last three at home (2 EPL 1 CL) they have scored 15 goals allowing only 3. While the road has been unkind playing Arsenal and getting points has been hard to come by.

The Gunners are also building a lot of confidence in themselves and while they were knocked out after falling short against Milan, that performance should serve as a notice to all comers – on their day Arsenal can take apart anyone. And therein lies the big issue for the Gunners. They are there own worst enemies. Not taking anything away from Milan, but the win at the Emirates should show that the talent is there and that the lack of anything from the San Siro shows that when they don’t show up – well you know.

The Gunners are going to need to show up for the rest of the season. The run in will be frought with challenges. There are two very hard matches at the Emirates coming down the line. City & Chelsea have yet to pay their annual visit. Combine that with the usual pitfalls of this wacky league and any performances similar to what we saw at the San Siro and they take their fate out of their hands.

We will learn alot about this squad in the coming weeks. Is the March meltdown still in the cards or does having the right leadership and attitude in the team carry them on to a sustained run.  We will see. I know I am looking forward to it. I know fourth isn’t a title or silverware but we need Europe this year more than ever. For the first time in a while we will actually have to treat each match with dedication and focus. Its not lie, every match is a cup final.

How the Match Should Play Out.

The Gunners are going to come out flying. I expect them to thrive on the situation they are in. How do I know this. Just call it a feeling (hey I called the last two match scores.) They are going run at a defence that has been having trouble with speed in the last few weeks. The key will be for the midfield to shut down their midfield getting the ball to Ba or Cisse. Which is why I expect Arteta and Song to play. Arteta may not be everyone’s flavor but he does a good job of getting the ball, keeping it and when its lost getting it back. I am anticipating a pressing game from Arsenal as they look to apply the pressure early and get the crowd into it.

Players to watch:

Arsenal. Robin Van Persie. Is there anyone else?

NUFC. Demba Ba. West Ham’s loss is Newcastle’s gain. He has simply been a revelation for the barcodes this year.

Projected Lineups:

Injuries and Suspensions:
Arsenal: Diaby (hamstring) Coquelin (hamstring) Mertesacker (ankle) Wilshere (ankle) Squillaci (groin) Frimpong (knee)

NUFC: Lovenkrands (thigh) Best (knee) Ameobi (knee) Ranger (ankle) S Taylor (achilles) Marveaux (hernia)

Leading Scorers:
Arsenal: van Persie 33 (25 league)

NUFC: Ba 16 (16 league)

Last Meeting: (EPL)
Arsenal: 0

NUFC: 0

Goals For:
Arsenal (home): 2.2

NUFC (away): 1.4

Goals Against:
Arsenal (home): 0.8

NUFC (away): 1.8

Last Five:
Arsenal: WWWWD

NUFC: DDLWW

Goal Difference:
Arsenal: 17

NUFC: 0

Match Official:
Referee: Howard Webb (M21 R3 Y64)

Broadcast Information:
US: ESPN2/ESPN3 1600 EDT

UK: Sky Sports 1 2000 GMT

GAMEDAY CHAT: It’s Open!!!!!!

 www.youaremyarsenal.com/gamedaychat

YAMA Prediction:
Arsenal: 2

NUFC: 0

The Final Word – 

Just two points I’d like to make. First there is a lot of speculation out there about Robin’s future. Duncan Castle has gone so far as to say that Van Persie has an agreement in place with Man City. Let me make something absolutely clear this is likely 99.9% untrue. First Robin has a decision to make, but the player has stated repeatedly that during the season he just wants to focus on football. So any agreement likely isn’t going to be discussed with any team regardless if they are Arsenal or not.

In Castle’s article he lists as Van Persie’s agent as Darren Dein (yes son of our former Chairman). The problem is Dein does not represent Van Persie on playing contracts. His only work with Robin is on commercial deals. Robin is managed by Sports Entertainment Group (they also rep Vermaelen and Ozyakup) out of the Netherlands. Jeroen Hoogewerf and Cornelis “Kees” Vos handle most of his contracts.

Finally, Robin Van Persie’s wife Bouchra who is a prolific tweeter had published this tweet today –

‘Rumours, rumours, rumours pfff getting tired of them. Please don’t believe anything unless it comes from @Persie_Official him self.’ ( for you non twitter folks @Persie_Official is Robin’s official twitter account)

In other words any news about Robin is bunk unless it comes from the man himself.

The other thing is that in the aftermath of the news that Lukas Podolski is coming to Arsenal both Wenger and the Poldi have been rather coy on the subject. Wenger ha this to say:

“I have not a lot to say about that because if we sign a player we will inform you,” Wenger said. “At the moment we have not signed anybody. There is still no agreement.

“The distance to the agreement is not always linked with the signing. When you are very close you are quickly very far again, but Podolski is a good player, I wouldn’t deny that.”

As for Poldi he initially denied the deal saying:

“Contrary to the reports of the past few days, nothing has been decided yet,” the 26-year-old said. “If there is something to report, I’ll let you know.”

But today he was a little more cryptic when quizzed during a talk show. When he was asked when he would be joining Arsenal he replied (And I am paraphrasing here) when its done.

In the end this will be the first deal done and announced. The other links I am hearing are Holtby from Schalke, Suarez from Anderlecht, Oliver Giroud of Montpelier and Vertonghen of Ajax.  While none of this are major players. They represent the kind of players I think we need. Good, talented, young and proven. All in all if even two or three of them came in they would be a marked improvement over what we have in the squad now. Giroud for instance just scored his 18th goal of the season. Holtby of Germany is likened to Goetze and Reus.

Let me clarify the links to these players in at least two of the cases on top of Poldi there are stories circulating that we’ve signed them to early deals agreeing to terms with club and player. While I can’t say for certain if those links are true, I do believe we are looking into making deals early and getting our business done before the Euros. This would do two things. First and foremost demonstrate to Robin we mean business about bringing in talented players. Second it would get those players here before the whole team would reconvene for summer training.

In both cases it looks like the club may have finally caught the clue bus on how to do business.

We will wait and see won’t we? Until then. . . Stay Goonerish!!!