Arsenal: 3 big selection decisions for Arteta vs Newcastle

An exciting fixture awaits and it’s one that Arsenal will be heading into feeling they can come away from with a positive result.

Newcastle sit rock bottom of the Premier League ahead of Saturday’s meeting without a single win on the board and just six points from their opening 12 outings. Add to that them having the worst defensive record in the division and there is reason for optimism.

Peculiarly, the Magpies have also scored more goals than Mikel Arteta’s side this season, which is a damning statistic considering the differing positions the two teams have in the table.

Chance creation and goals scored are the worrying aspects of the season so far, with the positive results being accumulated stemming from a richly improved defence. The back five, or at least four of the back five, are set in stone and barring the drubbings at the hands of Manchester City and Liverpool there are improvements in that department.

3 big Arsenal selection decisions for Mikel Arteta against Newcastle in the Premier League meeting with Eddie Howe’s side

There is still scope for change, though.

Arteta has experimented with his personnel this campaign with certain individuals being both granted their chance to impress as well as taking their opportunities when they’ve arrived.

Losing 4-0 to one of the title favourites shouldn’t prompt an almighty turnaround in approach and selections, but there are still some intriguing ones in store for the manager to make as the club builds up towards the hectic schedule to come.

No European football has handed Arsenal the freedom of being able to rely on a core group in the top-flight without heavy rotation, although the issues within the team may still call for some changes that the boss will be pondering over.

1. Martin Odegaard or Alexandre Lacazette

The biggest issue of all this term is the numbers being accumulated at the top end of the pitch. While the number that matters most of all is the position Arsenal occupy in the table, some of the attacking stats are concerning.

• 19th for open play goals (7)
• 19th for big chances (7)
• 12th for xG (13.8)

Of course these numbers ignore key factors in matches. After all, the games Arsenal have won they have done so deservedly, and taking early leads as they have against Tottenham, Aston Villa and Leicester have changed the game state so that they’ve been able to sit on their leads.

Nonetheless, the lack of goal threat and goal scorers is an issue. Alexandre Lacazette has come in and given Arsenal more impetus, but the experiment looks like it’s ran its course and the reintroduction of Martin Odegaard to add some additional control and creativity in the forward line is a decision that Arteta may look to make.

The £34m man has not been given a run in the team in his favoured No. 10 role, with him popping up as a No. 8 in the right half space and also deeper in a double pivot, thus Newcastle might be the chance to get him back into his best position.

Verdict: Odegaard will play

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2. Bring Ainsley Maitland-Niles Back Into Midfield

When Sambi Lokonga was seen struggling in the second half against Liverpool, Arteta made the quick decision to replace him with Ainsley Maitland-Niles after just eight minutes.

It was a substitution that said two things: Sambi needed protecting as the passes got looser and looser, and there is trust in Maitland-Niles to help calm matter down for Arsenal in that instance.

That opens the door for Maitland-Niles to get another start in the Premier League, following on from very decent outings in his previous home fixtures against Leeds and Watford. But, it doesn’t have to be for Sambi, as Thomas Partey may too make way.

In a game where Arsenal need to win, not playing a fit Partey would be a baffling call. Yet having seen him look off the pace somewhat at Anfield having not played for two weeks, in an effort to manage his workload ahead of trips to Old Trafford and Goodison Park, there is scope for another Sambi and Maitland-Niles pivot with the possible introduction of the Ghanaian late on.

The calls are primarily for Sambi to drop out though, and Partey not starting would be a very surprising (and silly) call.

If there is to be a midfield change it will probably see the Belgian on the bench ahead of two trips north, although nothing is out of the question as the fixtures pile up.

Verdict: Maitland-Niles will play

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3. Nuno Tavares or Kieran Tierney

Do you give Nuno Tavares the chance to respond to his poor second half showing at Anfield or do you take him out of the firing line and go with the tried and trusted? After all, he’s still only 21 years old and there will be games aplenty for him to keep developing.

The natural response following Nuno’s showing against Liverpool would be to bring Kieran Tierney back into the team. His lack of experience came the fore after the break as he made questionable and ultimately damaging decisions on the ball. So, Tierney?

Now with no questions marks over his fitness, the Scot could come back in as he too aims to find a response having started the season poorly.

But this is where the fixtures coming up may have an impact. Nuno could be handed the perfect chance to react to Anfield against a porous Magpies side, and then Tierney could be handed the reins for the foreseeable starting against Manchester United when experience and know-how will be vital.

Whatever the outcome, it is one that will please most supporters who have been both highly enthused by Nuno’s performances this season and also understanding that Tierney’s drop off in form is nothing more than a temporary blip he will overcome.

Verdict: Tierney will play