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Arsenal are just two matches away from being a top four team as they travel to St James’ Park on Monday to take on Newcastle United in the Premier League. Here is the predicted lineup.
Mikel Arteta saw it all come tumbling down on Thursday. His side were trailing 1-0 before Rob Holding’s stupid challenge on Heung-min Son saw him earn a second yellow card, plunging an already thin squad into a position of real uncertainty.
His one-match suspension means that he will miss Monday’s game, news that was added to by a worrying injury to Gabriel.
The Brazilian defender fell to the turf in the second half clutching the back of his thigh, an injury that will rule him out for the remainder of the campaign. The problems mount up for Arsenal.
https://twitter.com/premierleague/status/1524858836460486669
Arsenal predicted lineup vs Newcastle: Benjamin White & Takehiro Tomiyasu as a centre-back pairing in a 4-2-3-1 shape?
Benjamin White was fit enough to make the bench at Tottenham despite having not trained in the days leading up, and fortunately it does appear as if he will be back in time for the game in what is expected to be a patched up defence.
Depending on how trusted Nuno Tavares is, there is also a chance that Xhaka features in his 153rd different position this season and moves into the heart of defence. Against Callum Wilson, that could be a worry, mind.
The manager did also give some nods to his selections in the game against Spurs, withdrawing Gabriel Martinelli and Eddie Nketiah early on in the second half, although two games are the same and Newcastle will pose different challenges than Thursday.
How will Arteta line his team up for the biggest game of their season?
Goalkeeper & Defenders
Aaron Ramsdale (GK) – It remains the case that seemingly every shot Ramsdale faces results in a goal. He could do nothing about the three against Tottenham, although he did make one fine stop in the second half.
Cedric Soares (RB) – From Son to Saint-Maximim. Cedric looks set to play at right-back again with a different challenge facing him this time.
Benjamin White (CB) – Having been stripped and ready to come on at Spurs it does hint that White is ready, and with training over the weekend that shouldn’t be a worry.
Takehiro Tomiyasu (CB) – His versatility is going to be essential for Arsenal as he looks likely to play in the position he does for the Japan national team.
Nuno Tavares (LB) – A decent enough cameo from Nuno might have given him a small boost of confidence for Monday, in a game he looks certain to start in.
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Midfielders
Mohamed Elneny (CM) – Can we have a repeat of this fixture last season, please?
That 2-0 win over Newcastle in May 2021 saw Mohamed Elneny open the scoring with a well-taken strike, and the Gunners then cruised to victory.
Granit Xhaka (CM) – As much as playing Tomiyasu at left-back over Nuno may be tempting, that would mean moving Xhaka into defence and out of midfield.
Even if he too wasn’t at his best against Spurs he can’t be shifted about again.
Martin Odegaard (AM) – Arsenal need a big performance from their key creator, who also showed his frustration on Thursday with some wayward shots at goal from distance.
When he plays well, so do Arsenal.
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Forwards
Bukayo Saka (RW) – From being touch and go to start at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Saka would go on to complete the 90 minutes in what was a physically demanding game for him. He got stuck into every challenge and had a battle on his hands with Sessegnon.
His challenge this time? Tear Matt Targett a new one.
Eddie Nketiah (ST) – Coming off with 18 minutes left to play, despite not being able to influence the game as he would have liked, Nketiah continued to run his socks off and put in a real shift.
Against a side who he came close to joining in the summer, it’s time for him to keep up his strong form.
Gabriel Martinelli (LW) – He was hobbling slightly in the second half of the Spurs defeat after some hefty challenges, and Arteta made the right call in taking him off to conserve all the energy he can for Monday.
Trippier will just be back from injury and there is a chance to show him what the Premier League is all about down that flank.