Arsenal Vs Newcastle United: Predicted starting XI – A winning return?

Front Three

If there is one area of the team that Mikel Arteta is yet to fully master, it is the front three. That is ironic for a manager steeped in the Manchester City system that relies on the brilliance of its attacking trio, led by Raheem Sterling, Sergio Aguero and, when fit, Leroy Sane, but the Arsenal attack has looked a little unbalanced under Arteta thus far.

The one constant and guaranteed starter is Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. At present, he is the club’s best player and top goalscorer. He starts. But who joins him is a more difficult question to answer. Despite his recent struggles and extended goal drought, I still expect Alexandre Lacazette to continue in the centre-forward position. He provides a skill set that no other player in the squad can replicate and Arteta is acutely aware of the quiet, unspoken work that the Frenchman undertakes.

The final position, however, is another toss-up. Nicolas Pepe was shunned against Burnley, not even introduced from off the bench, while Gabriel Martinelli seems set to continue in the starting XI, irrespective of his tender age. With that in mind, Martinelli starts here, but Pepe will be pushing hard to prove himself.

Ultimately, Arteta now has options at almost every position. There are plenty of different avenues that he could take. And that is only encouraging for Arsenal. The last thing Arteta must find is balance. Get that right and this could be a positive end to the season, starting on Sunday.