Arsenal: 4 talking points from Newcastle win in Premier League

Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta reacts during the English Premier League football match between Newcastle United and Arsenal at St James' Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, north east England on May 2, 2021. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by LEE SMITH / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by LEE SMITH/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

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NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – MAY 02: Granit Xhaka of Arsenal is challenged by Sean Longstaff of Newcastle United during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Arsenal at St. James Park on May 02, 2021 in Newcastle upon Tyne. (Photo by Lindsey Parnaby – Pool/Getty Images) /

Mikel Arteta Keeps Granit Xhaka at Left-Back

A nothing fixture with so little to play for, Arteta had the chance to revert to a back four and move Xhaka into midfield, or leave him out entirely to give him rest for Thursday. He opted for neither.

Trying to dissect what the entails is the interesting part. Does sticking with the same system that was used in Spain indicate it will remain for the second leg or will the absence of Dani Ceballos for that fixture mean Arteta changes things around?

Indications will be that he wanted to maintain the structure and get everyone as familiar as possible with it in order to give it the best possible chance of success on Thursday.

Will Emile Smith Rowe assume the position the Spaniard had as the left-sided No. 8 tasked with giving Xhaka cover? That would be the obvious alteration although Mohamed Elneny putting in an impressive display also opens room for him to partner Thomas Partey.

Unai Emery knows how to hurt that setup as was done in the first leg with Samuel Chukwueze, and given there have been some mind games already with the supposed return to fitness of Alexandre Lacazette and Kieran Tierney, it may be another round of trying to outsmart the man in the opposite dugout.

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