Newcastle vs Arsenal: Time to re-integrate Luiz & Aubameyang

Just when we thought it couldn’t get any worse! As an ignominious European humbling from Unai Emery’s Villarreal became the latest disappointment of this miserable season, Arsenal will be hoping to restore their pride in the Premier League this weekend when they make the long trip north to face Newcastle United.

Steve Bruce’s resurgent side are currently enjoying a four-game unbeaten run and, having taken points off both Tottenham and Liverpool recently, a win against the Magpies will not be the formality we might have expected a few weeks ago.

Nevertheless, with our opponents now nine points clear of the drop and us languishing in mid-table, this game is effectively a dead-rubber and therefore gives Mikel Arteta an ideal opportunity to re-integrate some senior figures to the squad.

Despite making unexpected returns to first-team training this week, the visit to St. James’ Park will probably come too soon for Kieran Tierney or Alexandre Lacazette, and in any case the boss should be wrapping them in cotton wool ahead of next week’s Europa League second leg. However, Thursday night did see the return of both David Luiz and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to the bench, and the pair are now finally back in contention for starting positions.

Arsenal should re-integrate David Luiz and Aubameyang against Newcastle in preparation for Europa League semi-final vs Villarreal

Having fully recovered after his recent hospitalisation for malaria, Aubameyang’s late midweek cameo marked his first Arsenal appearance since April 8th against Slavia Prague, and his availability will come as a significant boost for Arteta as he plots his revenge for Emery’s Emirates return.

Scoring four crucial goals to guide the team to FA Cup glory last season, the Gabonese international has stepped up when it mattered in the past and will likely feature on Sunday to ensure he is once again at his clinical best for the big occasion.

Meanwhile, Luiz has had an even longer stint on the sidelines and last played in our 3-3 draw at West Ham in March. In addition to performing consistently well when called upon this campaign, the former Chelsea man also possesses an abundance of experience that could make a crucial difference next week, and so giving him desperately-needed minutes on Tyneside is an option Arteta should consider exploring.

With our Premier League season dead in the water and back-to-back defeats meaning any momentum we had has completely evaporated, Arteta’s team selection for this game will likely indicate his prioritisation of next week’s must-win European tie.

The boss will need big performances from big-game players to secure a place in the Europa League final, and re-integrating Luiz and Aubameyang on Sunday could help to ensure that we achieve it.