Newcastle vs Arsenal: 4 big pre-match discussions

Newcastle vs Arsenal: 4 pre-match discussions

Newcastle United's English manager Eddie Howe (R) and assistant Jason Tindall gesture from the side-lines during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium in London on November 27, 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 Adrian DENNIS / 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 ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images) /

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Arsenal’s Portuguese defender Nuno Tavares. (Photo by IAN KINGTON/IKIMAGES/AFP via Getty Images) /

4. From Portugal With Love – Nuno & Cedric

Someone on social media refereed to these two as the Portuguese Chuckle Brothers. Apart from one of them sadly passing away not long ago, it’s a reference that is worrying apt.

It’s totally unfair to write the duo off completely. Yet, it is not a reassuring heading into any fixture with a sense of dread that one or both has a clanger in them. Both can turn it on on occasion, just as both can do something inexplicably poor like stand 20 yards away from where they should be or gift possession to the opposition.

Given the injuries and suspensions facing Arsenal there is every chance that the full-back pairing will be all Portuguese on Monday.

In fact, it’d be a surprise if it isn’t.

In some messed up way, perhaps the two will cancel each other out. Two negatives make a positive, etc, etc.

Next. Predicted lineup vs Newcastle. dark

All of which is unjustly overlooking the fact that they’re professional footballers who played their part in getting Arsenal to this stage. We have to back them all the way, but don’t say you aren’t a little bit worried.

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