Arsenal v Newcastle
Emirates Stadium 


After limping blindly through our last couple of premier league matches we now face Newcastle at home.
This fixture usually sees a lot of drama and this one will be no exception. 
Newcastle are having mixed results lately, and are in a kind of limbo regarding ownership. I can’t abide Mike Ashley, his kind of money throwing was the start of the end of football as we know it, and I can only feel a sense of karma served at his situation right now. 
Matters off the pitch no doubt effect those on the pitch and the saga continues for the Magpies. I only hope the buyers are decent and hold on to the traditions that a club like Newcastle deserve.
Anyway, onto matters on the pitch and the situation with Arsenal. 
We are again playing the all possession and no penetration football that seems de rigueur for us at this time of the year. 
Our possession of the ball and shots at goal are second to none, but Christ it’s hard to watch. As the great (sic) Michael Owen once stated:the key to winning matches is scoring more goals than the opposition. We are seriously lacking in the scoring goals department, so could someone tell the managerand players please? 


Sometimes we play the most beautiful football, but it’s all for nothing it seems. 
Our team has become limp. There is no competition for places, so even you have a bad game, so what. No consequences, just more of the same. 
Our away form has become deplorable and the away fans deserve better. The West Ham game was more of the same. Teams love to up their games against us, cause they know the media will love it. Why can’t we up our game too? 
Both teams will be looking to give their team bases a lift going into the Christmas games. 
There’s no doubt that this would be the perfect game to get us back on track, and Wenger recognises that we are just too slow on the follow through. When teams are set up to go for the draw it’s even harder to break them down and we need that pace to do it. 
Mustafi could be back in our back line but no start for Ramsey who is still nursing a hamstring injury. 
This leaves the space open for Wilshere to play, but there is a question mark over whether he can start two games in a row, and if so how effective he will be. 


The trio of Ozil, Lacazette and Alexis are expected to start, having being rested midweek. 
Theo Walcott is suffering with a tight groin and is unlikely to be in contention for a place. 
Coquelin and Elneny are available if a defensive midfield is required, Xhaka and Wilshere are capable of playing with either. 
Former Arsenal midfielder Issac Hayden is expected to come in for Shelvey as he is suspended, Dummett returns from injury. Aleksandar Mitrovic is still suffering from a back injury. Gayle and Joselu are the club's top goal-scorers this season having scored three goals each, and they will be looking to add to that tally. 

Opta Match Facts 

  • Arsenal have won each of their last nine Premier League games against Newcastle, scoring 22 goals and conceding just six.
  • Newcastle have lost their last five Premier League visits to Arsenal – however, their last victory there came in November 2010 when they were newly promoted.
  • Arsene Wenger’s side haven’t lost back to back home Premier League games in the same season since November 2010, with one of those defeats coming against Newcastle.
  • Arsenal have only had a longer Premier League winning run against Manchester City (11 between August 1994 and September 2004) than their current run of nine against Newcastle.
  • Rafael Benitez has never won away at Arsenal in the Premier League in six attempts (W0 D2 L4) and has managed more away Premier League games there without winning than any other team.
  • Olivier Giroud has scored more Premier League goals against Newcastle than any other club (8) and has had a hand in six goals in four Premier League games against them at the Emirates (five goals, one assist).
  • Since the start of last season, Olivier Giroud has scored six goals in 12 Premier League appearances (966 mins) when starting and averaged a goal every 161 minutes. As a substitute, he’s scored 10 goals in 571 minutes - one every 57 minutes on average.

    Final Thoughts

    To listen to the media and the nay sayers you would think we were relegation fodder. 
    We are and always have been a “cup” team. It’s just a pity we can’t treat every game as a cup game. 
    Our form lately hasn’t been up to much, it’s true. But our home form is still statistically one of the best in the league. Newcastle are something like 11/1 for a win here and with good reason. 
    However, they too are a wounded animal and will definitely have something to prove. They will tough to handle going forward and will most likely be very defensive in their game. 
    Rafa will want to get something out of this. His job could be in jeopardy and the split in the Magpie’s fan base regarding his management style hasn’t been seen since.. well Wenger. 
    We need this win. Not just for the points, but for the self esteem. The confidence of the team and fans is rock bottom right now and a win would help and give us something to build on. 
    Lacazette needs more goals. He needs to play to score, so let’s hope he gets the chance. 
    Giroud played well against the Hammers but he was ignored in the box for the most part. Time and again his head has saved us, but if no one crosses to him how can he use it? Having one of the tallest players in the PL in the box and not using him is nothing short of criminal. 
    So come on Arsenal, use the quality and experience we all know you have, put on your scoring boots and lets get the three points any way we can. Win ugly? Win pretty? It’s all the same to me. No extra points for being nice! 
    Enjoy the game gooners, and remember, loyal when we win, loyal when we draw, loyal when we lose. I love my club. 

    Spicy x 

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