Table-toppers Arsenal will play host to Newcastle United in their first game of the new year at the Emirates on Saturday evening.The Gunners go into the game as the favourites to get the three points, to follow up the win against Bournemouth. They sit level on points with Leicester City, just ahead on goal difference.
While Newcastle sit at the 18th spot in the relegation zone, although they are nine and five points ahead of Aston Villa and Sunderland respectively.
Here is a look at what we can expect from the game at the Emirates:
Kickoff and Live Telecast
Channel: Star Sports 4, Star Sports HD4
Live Stream: starsports.com
Date and Time: Saturday, 2 January 2016 – 15:00 GMT (20:30 IST)
Venue: Emirates Stadium, London
Team News
Arsenal will not have Alexis Sanchez back for this game. Arsene Wenger informed while speaking to the press that the Chilean will not be risked, but might be back for the Sunderland game in the FA Cup next week. However, midfielder Mathieu Flamini will be available and fighting for a spot in the starting XI.
Wenger had rotated the squad for the game against Bournemouth. Hence, Monreal, Joel Campbell and Laurent Koscielny could return to the XI. Mikel Arteta, Jack Wilshere and Tomas Rosicky will be available only in February while Danny Welbeck, Santi Cazorla and Francis Coquelin remain sidelined. Wenger might again pick Chambers given his performance on Monday.
Newcastle are suffering because of the biggest injury list in the league and lost another player against West Bromwich Albion when Vurnon Anita limped off on Monday. The Dutch midfielder has been ruled out of Saturday's match with a hamstring problem therefore, Cheick Tiote is likely to start a Premier League game for only the sixth time this season.
Manager Steve McClaren had thrown his weight behind third choice goalkeeper Karl Darlow after the keeper's miserable outing, but he may drop the former Nottingham Forest player if Rob Elliot overcomes a stomach bug.
Probable Lineups
Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Cech; Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal; Chambers, Ramsey; Campbell, Ozil, Walcott; Giroud.
Newcastle United (4-2-3-1): Darlow; Janmaat, Mbemba, Coloccini, Dummett; Tiote, Colback; Sissoko, Wijnaldum, Perez; Mitrovic.
Form
Arsenal won their last game against Bournemouth at the Emirates by two goals to nil. However, they had surprised everyone with their crumbling loss to Southampton on Boxing Day. The Gunners have now won four games out of their last five. The victory against the Cherries helped them climb to the top of the table.
They are ahead of Leicester City on goal difference and three points ahead of direct title rivals Manchester City. They could not manage a 100% record in December because of the loss at the St.Mary’s Stadium, but they beat Olympiakos, Sunderland, Aston Villa, Manchester City and Bournemouth.
The goals keep coming for the hosts as Ozil and company have set the league on fire. But their defence, which was the best in the league, has now shipped 18 goals in 19 games. However, playing Newcastle at home should be a routine victory for the Gunners. But as the season has shown time and again, Wenger will not like to take the visitors lightly.
Last 5 games: W-W-W-L-W (Last match: Arsenal 2-0 Bournemouth)
Newcastle come into this game on the back of a 1-0 away loss to West Bromwich Albion. The visitors go into the second half of the season as one of the three teams in the relegation zone, having managed only 17 points in 19 games under Steve McClaren this term.
But they are nine better off than rock bottom Aston Villa and five ahead of North-East rivals Sunderland. Newcastle will be aware that the sides above them in the table are finding their form and they will need to produce good performances in order to stay up.
McClaren's men escaped the drop zone earlier this month with impressive back-to-back wins over Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur, but they have dropped back in with just one point out of a possible nine against Aston Villa, Everton and West Bromwich Albion.
They have lost the last two 1-0, on Saturday going down at The Hawthorns to a Darren Fletcher goal that Premier League debutant Karl Darlow let through his grasp. The Magpies will have to put up a fight to get the points at the Emirates.
Last 5 games: W-W-D-L-L (Last match: West Bromwich Albion 1-0 Newcastle United)
Key Stats
- Arsenal have won eight successive Premier League games against Newcastle United.
- The home side had the most points for any Premier League club in the calendar year 2015 with a tally of 81.
- The Magpies did not manage a single shot on target and made just one attempt overall in the 1-0 reverse at St James' Park in August that was settled by a Coloccini own goal.
- The Gunners have won 11 of the last 14 Premier League meetings between the two sides.
- In the other three games, the Gunners have had a player sent off and lost one and drawn two.
- The last three league meetings at the Emirates have seen 18 goals scored, including a 7-3 win for Arsenal almost three years ago to the day in December 2012.
Key Battle
Olivier Giroud vs Aleksandar Mitrovic
These two top strikers will be on show when the two sides meet but Olivier Giroud has been Newcastle’s executioner of late. Giroud, a one-touch finisher, has scored eight goals in his last seven games against the Magpies which is warning enough. What Mitrovic has got is an aerial threat, something Papiss Cisse most certainly has not got.
He gets up well, has the muscle to ease defenders out of the way, and powerful neck muscles. However a centre-forward is only as good as the supply he gets and the visitors haven’t been used to hanging the ball up for a striker to attack in the air. This latest Premier League skirmish will probably be decided by the two line leaders on view.
Mesut Ozil vs Newcastle’s back-line
Yes. The German magician has been in the form of his life. It will take the whole defence and probably the two defensive midfielders to stop Ozil. The World Cup winner will look forward to the challenge of getting past his opponents and setting up goals for his teammates.
Ozil’s defensive side has also been showcased this season, noted by the Emirates crowd on many occasions this season. Newcastle will have to be on point and make tackles and interceptions to ensure Ozil does not get the opportunity to feed off the wingers and striker in the attacking third. Ozil, who has snapped up 16 assists in the league this season, will look to increase his assists tally.
Betting odds (bet365)
Arsenal – 1/4
Draw – 11/2
Newcastle United – 9/1
Prediction
Arsenal’s win against Bournemouth, after their 0-4 thrashing away to Southampton has brought them the eluding confidence. The Gunners are one of the form teams, but it will be a good game. However, Newcastle’s quality cannot match upto Arsenal’s. Ozil will once again be the key for the Gunners.
Three goals to the Gunners can be expected as they have liked to score big against the Magpies. Newcastle will need to dig hard if they want to get anything out of this game. A third consecutive loss for the visitors is predicted.
Predicted score: Arsenal 3-0 Newcastle United
