Preview: Newcastle vs Arsenal
By Randy Osae
St James' Park
Then a sinking boat, now a floating canoe.
Being an Arsenal fan this month might just feel like a driver with car insurance.
Arsenal never managed a league victory nor a goal in February, but in a more accommodating March, there is luxurious optimism of having every chance of scooping the FA Cup and Champions League.
And that sings well in mind for those who have witnessed every single funk and merry of this roller-coaster ride. Arsenal’s constantly rupturing campaign is now a gradually framing one.
But in his well-cushioned seat in the dug-out at St James’ park tomorrow, Wenger will be contemplating defense of yet another turning point in Arsenal’s season. In his long tenure, the manger has never had more deceitful instances of “turning points” in a season than this one.
Perhaps Wenger is not as comfortably cushioned as many carried-away fans are. Arsenal’s boss argues his side’s run of bliss could be irrelevant come May unless they keep all guns blazing till the end.
That said, any hurdle is ‘jumpable’.
And with Villa pipped for fourth place, even the Premier League title is.
“We have prepared ourselves mentally to give absolutely everything in every game.
“It is down to us. I would like to change the order of the top four to get in front of one or two teams.
“The title is not as much done as people think it is. Manchester United has a huge advantage, because they are four points ahead and a game in hand.
“But it is still open, because they all still have to play us, so it will be interesting.”
The Gunners head 280 miles off to Tyneside with form as spark-plug in another quest for maximum points – something they have failed to achieve in this particular fixture since 2004/05.
Spring just loomed out of the corner, but the Magpies already have bone-dry feathers. There is some familiarity with relegation warfare at Newcastle, but matters seem a bit too sticky this year.
Newcastle fear being glued to the Premier League’s basement for long. Not with nine games to go. And that is some reason to make Wenger’s men victims of revival on Saturday.
If the currently stricken Kinnear has his men fueled with intentions of prevailing, Arsenal have the know-how. The north Londoners have won their last three league and cup meetings with Newcastle – all by 3-0 scorelines and for good measure, have all been at the Emirates Stadium. That’s what varies.
The Gunners’ own status of being the top flight’s only unbeaten side in 2009. And that is becoming all too equitable game by game. They are redeeming their old selves, and another comprehensive showing tomorrow will let all know; Arsenal are back!
As if the boy was back on wheels, Theo Walcott has been reversed by another injury woe. His pace will be missing for a while.
However, Eduardo is fit again, along with Almunia, while Silvestre could also come into contention after some 10 weeks out with a calf injury. Captain Cesc Fabregas (knee) is back in training, but will not feature until after the international break. Emmanuel Adebayor (hamstring) and Tomas Rosicky (hamstring tendon) continue their rehabilitation.
The match today will be a tense game, it’s down to who wants it most. Newcastle were unlucky when they played Man U not so long ago, Martins ran the united defence ragged so its not a game for Gallas to make his dashes up the pitch like a forward. I think if we play our football like we can, and our forwards take an interest we’ll be too much for the geordies. Theo’s injury is a bit of a shock but our run of form has been without him, plenty of cover in midfield. Nasri to be star man today.
The match today will be a tense game, it’s down to who wants it most. Newcastle were unlucky when they played Man U not so long ago, Martins ran the united defence ragged so its not a game for Gallas to make his dashes up the pitch like a forward. I think if we play our football like we can, and our forwards take an interest we’ll be too much for the geordies. Theo’s injury is a bit of a shock but our run of form has been without him, plenty of cover in midfield. Nasri to be star man today.
Nice perception and optimism Andy.
That’s what we need for a game like this…not those “oh this is an easy one, 3-0″ jinxes.
Nice perception and optimism Andy.
That’s what we need for a game like this…not those “oh this is an easy one, 3-0″ jinxes.
Great site Randy!
Arsenal’s spirit has been superb of late..hope ‘pool can whack villa and we can go 3 points clear into 4th! C’mon Gunners!
Great site Randy!
Arsenal’s spirit has been superb of late..hope ‘pool can whack villa and we can go 3 points clear into 4th! C’mon Gunners!
hey how do you know its 5 weeks ???
hey how do you know its 5 weeks ???
consider walcott out for the rest of the season unless we get to the finals in the cup competitions, hope to have rosicky back soon, the guy has been sorely missed. Nasri is the new zidane watch this space!!!
consider walcott out for the rest of the season unless we get to the finals in the cup competitions, hope to have rosicky back soon, the guy has been sorely missed. Nasri is the new zidane watch this space!!!
Its another blow to miss Walcott at this crutial time but the team’s form is superb and Newcastle will be beaten 3-1.Gallas and Toure shd try to comm well this time,otherwise, Martins terrorize our defense.Its good Almunia is fit.
Its another blow to miss Walcott at this crutial time but the team’s form is superb and Newcastle will be beaten 3-1.Gallas and Toure shd try to comm well this time,otherwise, Martins terrorize our defense.Its good Almunia is fit.
Its another blow to miss Walcott at this crutial time but the team’s form is superb and Newcastle will be beaten 3-1.Gallas and Toure shd try to comm well this time,otherwise, Martins will terrorize our defense.Its good Almunia is fit.
Its another blow to miss Walcott at this crutial time but the team’s form is superb and Newcastle will be beaten 3-1.Gallas and Toure shd try to comm well this time,otherwise, Martins will terrorize our defense.Its good Almunia is fit.
We will play like this:
RvP
Arshavin Bendtner Nasri
Denilson Song
Clichy Gallas Toure Sagna
We will play like this:
RvP
Arshavin Bendtner Nasri
Denilson Song
Clichy Gallas Toure Sagna
Arsenal will be confident of bagging all 3 points at St. James Park when they face a Newcastle side low on confidence, high in vulnarability.
Arsenal will be confident of bagging all 3 points at St. James Park when they face a Newcastle side low on confidence, high in vulnarability.
dont play bentdner please
dont play bentdner please
Damn Gallas! great line up although i would bring in diaby for song as we need speed and agility which song cant provide. Now that Theo is out we are going to loose one wing as we have when eboue is played there meaning that Arsene has to bench eboue and play arsharvin and nasri for meaningful attacking effect giving us width.
Damn Gallas! great line up although i would bring in diaby for song as we need speed and agility which song cant provide. Now that Theo is out we are going to loose one wing as we have when eboue is played there meaning that Arsene has to bench eboue and play arsharvin and nasri for meaningful attacking effect giving us width.
Damn_Gallas! we will lose the match with your kind of line-up. Where is the goalkeeper?? LOL…
Damn_Gallas! we will lose the match with your kind of line-up. Where is the goalkeeper?? LOL…
Ezra,since you agree with Damn_Gallas line-up, instead of bringing along Diaby for Song, I suggest you better bring along a goalkeeper..LOL…
Ezra,since you agree with Damn_Gallas line-up, instead of bringing along Diaby for Song, I suggest you better bring along a goalkeeper..LOL…
I have one question: When is Rosicky back???
I have one question: When is Rosicky back???
I suggest you go to ‘Injury Update’
I suggest you go to ‘Injury Update’
oh thanks! I am new on this site and I haven’t noticed the injury update
oh thanks! I am new on this site and I haven’t noticed the injury update
No problem armandobeleno and thanks Kidz for helping him.
Hope you all enjoy it here!
There will also be a Live video stream of the match.
No problem armandobeleno and thanks Kidz for helping him.
Hope you all enjoy it here!
There will also be a Live video stream of the match.
[...] Match Preview: Newcastle vs Arsenal By Randy Osae Then a sinking boat, now a floating canoe. Being an Arsenal fan this month might just feel like a driver [...] [...]
[...] Match Preview: Newcastle vs Arsenal By Randy Osae Then a sinking boat, now a floating canoe. Being an Arsenal fan this month might just feel like a driver [...] [...]