please log in to view this image please log in to view this image Arsenal face Newcastle United at the Emirates this coming Saturday as the Gunners look to extend their winning run in the league. Arsenal have won their previous three league games, their latest win came against Wigan Athletic at the DW Stadium. It was a very tight game and Arsenal had to dig deep to claim the win as Wigan set up to frustrate the Gunners. The only goal of the game came from the penalty spot after Theo Walcott was fouled inside the penalty area. Mikel Arteta stepped up and put the Gunners into the lead, and Arsenal hung on to claim all three points. For the first time this season, Arsenal have managed to win three leagues games in a row and it was vitally important that they went on a run like this, as their season was in real danger of collapsing after the defeat to Bradford City in the League Cup. Newcastle United have been largely disappointing this season and have been unable to build on their efforts from the previous season. From their last six league games, they have lost four of those. Their latest defeat came against Manchester United at Old Trafford. A late Javier Hernandez goal gave Manchester United all three points in a thriller. The Magpies find themselves in fifteenth place and not many would have expected to see Newcastle so far down the table in December. Thomas Vermaelen scored a very late winner for the Gunners when Arsenal and Newcastle last met. In the last few years, the games between Arsenal and Newcastle have been very tight affairs, the Gunners have only claimed one win over the Magpies in their last four league meetings. After winning their last three league games, Arsenal have the chance to chalk up another win and build some real momentum, as well as ending the year on a high note. Last season, Newcastle surprised everyone with some of their performances and in the end they finished in fifth place and pushed the likes of Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur to the very end. With their shrewd buys and excellent scouting system they managed to recruit a team that was able to compete for a place in the Champions League. This year, they have been unable to push on and have gone backwards. In the summer transfer window, Newcastle again opted to look for those bargains instead of splashing the cash, and so far none of their new signings have made a real impact. The likes of Vurnon Anita and Gaël Bigirimana are still trying to find their feet and probably need more time. Manager, Alan Pardew was given an eight year contract as a reward for his efforts from last season, so he has the job security to really build a team. Demba Ba has been without a doubt the main man for the Magpies this season and without his goals, Newcastle really would be in some serious trouble. He has scored elven goals in the league and only Michu and Robin Van Persie have scored more goals in the league this season. Despite Ba’s great goal scoring form this season, Newcastle have been hugely underwhelming because of injuries to key players and also players like Papiss Cisse have not be able to replicate their form from last season. Last season, Cisse scored thirteen goals from thirteen league games but this season he has only managed to score three league goals from fifteen games. The likes of Yohan Cayabe and Hatem Ben Afra have also had a season to forget so far, after being hit by injuries and therefore they have been unable to build any sort of form. Cayabe is still injured, but Ben Afra has returned and should be fit enough to face Arsenal at the Emirates. Away from home, Newcastle have yet to win a league game this season. In their nine away games this season, they have lost five and drawn four. In the heart of the Newcastle midfield, Cheik Titoe is the man that wins the ball back for Newcastle and his physical approach will test the Arsenal midfield. Fabricio Coloccini has been the stand out defender for Newcastle in recent years and he has been the man that has marshalled their defence. Theo Walcott is the man that could be trying to get the better of him on Saturday after Arsene Wenger finally gave the Englishmen his chance to play through the middle. Although he was not at his best against Wigan, Walcott still won a penalty and his pace kept the Wigan defence on their toes. His pace would worry any centre-back and Walcott will pose a serious threat to the Newcastle defence if he can turn it on. Walcott is Arsenal’s top scorer this season with elven goals in all competitions. Jack Wilshere has started to find the sort of form that he was showing before his injury lay off. Wilshere has started to form an understanding with the likes of Mikel Arteta and Santi Cazorla, and as a threesome they at least on paper look like Arsenal’s biggest strength. Alex Oxlade Chamberlain had a game of two halves against Wigan, in the first half he could not get anything right but he turned it around and started to beat his man and cause Wigan all sorts of problems after the break. Chamberlain has not been at his best this season, and has clearly needed a run of games to find his form. He has started in Arsenal’s last three games, and that can only help him. Chamberlain recently signed a new long term contract with the Gunners, so Arsene Wenger has recognised how important Chamberlain will be to Arsenal in the coming years. Thomas Rosicky and Olivier Giroud missed the game against Wigan through illness, but are expected to recover in time to face Newcastle United at the Emirates. Arsene Wenger has stuck with the same starting line-up for two games in a row, and after winning both he will probably pick the same team. 2012 has not really been a year to remember for Arsenal fans, they failed to win any trophies and lost Robin Van Persie to Manchester United. But, there has been some high points, the two wins over bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspurs will live long in the memory and clinching third place on the final day of last season, was also something to celebrate. The game against Newcastle United will be the final game of 2012 for Arsenal and the Gunners will hope that they can end the year on a high note with a victory over the Magpies. Team News: Arsene Wenger: Form Guide: please log in to view this image Three Key Match-ups: please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image Overall Record vs Newcastle United: Played: 170 Wins: 66 Draws: 38 Losses: 66 For: 244 Against: 235 GD: 9 Last 6 Meetings: Arsenal 2 - 1 Newcastle United Newcastle United 0 - 0 Arsenal Newcastle United 4 - 4 Arsenal Arsenal 0 - 1 Newcastle United Newcastle United 0 - 2 Arsenal (League Cup) Newcastle United 1 - 3 Arsenal please log in to view this image Manager's Views: Arsene Wenger on how Theo Walcott has performed in his new role upfront: My Team: please log in to view this image Final Score: please log in to view this image
I'd start Walcott again in this game. We can always bring Giroud on in his place if we need to change our attacking style.
Tiote was banned for their game against Man Utd after picking up five yellow cards. He will be back to face us.
Wasn't aware Walcott provided us with an attacking style. They have physical defenders and Giroud will be able to hold the ball better, win headers, link up with the wide players and the midfield. Walcott was pretty anonymous last game. Only memorable thing was him letting a clear cut chance go between his legs for someone behind him who wasn't there.
while i'm not the biggest fan of walcott playing thru the middle i think that if wenger is going to give him a chance there then he needs to be given a proper chance. Rather than dropping him after one ineffective performance. He will need time and games to give himself a proper chance and like all strikers he will need confidence both on the pitch and from the manager off the pitch.
I would play Walcott in the middle again. Newcastle were very dodgy in defence today and they might have 'physical' players but both their CB's lack any sort of pace. Walcott in a second can get in behind them.
Like Cannon said, he was feeding off of scraps in that game. The service was pretty non existent. Despite that he won us the penalty to win the game
I'd be happy if this match ended 3 3 with Carzloza and Demba Ba each grabbing a hattrick, for Fantasy Football reasons
None of our attacking players really came to terms with Wigan and their system. Cazorla and Wilshere were blunted and Walcott needs the service. He is not RVP and can't create something out of nothing. But even then Walcott chased a **** cross from Gibbs and won us a pen against Wigan.
He won us a penalty running in from the wing - just like he used to do when playing as a winger. He did nothing as a central forward in that game.
Thing is Giroud has hardly done that much better has he? So it's not like Wenger has a lot of choice. Giroud has his flaws just like Walcott does. The answer is to buy someone.
