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6 days ago
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Read Jonathan Wilson on Newcastle
Note to trolls, keyboard warriors and Messrs Angry: I did not write this piece, nor have I read it.
Newcastle team news
Eddie Howe also makes three changes from the last league game, a goalless draw at Bournemouth in Newcastle’s case. Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton and Anthony Gordon – who all played against Bradford in the Carabao Cup in midweek – start ahead of the Lewises, Hall and Miley, and Joe Willock.
Newcastle (4-3-3) Pope; Livramento, Thiaw, Botman, Burn; Bruno, Tonali, Joelinton; Murphy, Woltemade, Gordon.
Substitutes: Ramsdale, Trippier, Lascelles, Barnes, Krafth, Osula, Elanga, Willock, Miley.
Arsenal team news
The handbrake is off! Ish. Eberechi Eze replaces Mikel Merino in the Arsenal midfield, one of three changes from the notorious Emirates XI that started against Manchester City. Bukayo Saka starts in place cof the injured Noni Madueke. The other change is at the back, where Cristhian Mosquera replaces William Saliba. You’d imagine that’s injury-related, though Saliba is on the bench.
Arsenal (4-3-3) Raya; Timber, Mosquera, Gabriel, Calafiori; Eze, Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Gyokeres, Trossard.
Substitutes: Arrizabalaga, Saliba, Lewis-Skelly, White, Odegaard, Norgaard, Merino, Martinelli, Dowman.
Preamble
Hello and welcome to Handbrake Watch, a new series in which the Guardian’s finest minds we assess and judge Mikel Arteta’s tactical approach. Arteta, whose Arsenal side visit Newcastle today, was heavily criticised for picking a cautious XI against Manchester City last week. He added more grist to the news cycle by rejecting those criticisms, so there will be plenty of scrutiny on his XI today. Maybe even the football itself?!?!?!
Yesterday’s results have taken some of the focus away from Arteta and Arsenal – partly because other managers are back in the doghouse, mainly because Crystal Palace, lovely, life-affirming Crystal Palace, beat Liverpool at Selhurst Park. Arsenal will jump from seventh to to second, two points behind Liverpool, if they win today.
Not that it’ll be easy. They’ve lost their last three games at St James’ Park without scoring, and few things invigorate the Newcastle crowd quite like a visit from Arsenal. Newcastle’s need for a win is just as great. They ar 13th after a largely quiet start to the season – on the field, if not off it.
If recent games between Newcastle and Arsenal are a guide, this won’t be high-scoring. But it’ll be eventful, probably a bit spiteful, and there’s a chance one of the managers will be spewing come 7pm.
Kick off 4.30pm.
