Today’s game against Arsenal at St. James’ Park is one of the plum games for Newcastle every season, and last season we lost 1-0 in the final game of the season, and we drew 0-0 the season before in the first game of the season when we finished in 5th place, and in February of 2011 we came back from 4-0 down after 26 minutes, in that remarkable game to draw 4-4 in what is still the greatest comeback in the history of the Premier League.
In our last game Newcastle recovered from an awful first half performance, to come storming back against Stoke City in that second half, albeit against a 9 man Stoke side, and it will be difficult for Alan Pardew to know who to leave out of the side today.
And once again there are no injuries in the squad and the Newcastle manager is spoiled for choice.
We have a feeling that Vurnon Anita, who was brought off at half time against Stoke, could be the unlucky one and will make way for the returning Cheick Tiote, who missed the last game due to suspension, and the manager has said he will definitely start this game.
We also think that Ben Arfa will retain his starting position, after putting in a Man of the Match performance against Stoke.
So this could be the side, in a 4-3-3 formation, that Alan Pardew plays in this important game:
Krul
Debuchy Coloccini (c) Williamson Santon
Sissoko Tiote Cabaye
Gouffran Remy Ben Arfa
Subs: Elliot Haidara Yanga-Mbiwa Anita Cisse Obertan Ameobi (Sh)
What is your team for this afternoon’s match?
There could be a surprise in the team with the impressive Massadio Haidara coming for Davide Santon at left back, but we doubt it.
Arsenal have probably been the best side in the Premier League this season, and at the moment are two points behind Manchester City in second place, so a win would take them back to the top of the league tonight.
If Newcastle can somehow manage to beat Arsenal for a change, then we would go up to 36 points from 19 games – half way through the season – and be only 3 points behind the Gunners and probably in 5th place in the league.
As far as the fans are concerned 72% think we can take something out of this game today, which is being televised live around the world.
If Newcastle can play somewhere near their best form today, and start this game buzzing, then we have a chance – a decent chance – to get another famous win this season to go with the wins against Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester United.
But Arsenal are a good side and our lads will need to concentrate throughout the game, if indeed we are to get something this afternoon.
We’d be happy enough with a draw, but if we win Alan Pardew has already said the club would need to seriously look at our aspirations for the year, and that it would tick a big box for us
We think that means it would be another fantastic win. 😀
But this game is what every Newcastle player looks forward to, and they don’t come much bigger than this one, so it’s a time for our players to play their hearts out this afternoon in front of a sold out St. James’ Park, and if we can do that, who knows – we could be celebrating big time tonight.
Howay The Lads!!
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14 comments so far
davetoon
Dec 29, 2013 at 9:31 AM
Comment #1If anyone feels like getting angry, read this crap from Lawro the pr@t
“This is another test for Arsenal, who are without the injured Aaron Ramsey, but I still think they are comfortable in these kind of games.
“Against the absolute top teams – like in their defeat by City or their draw with Chelsea – they have probably not quite got enough. But against the likes of Newcastle, I would always back them.”
toonarmydownsouth
Dec 29, 2013 at 9:34 AM
Comment #2JFA
No idea mate only ever seen him play there once and that was this fixture last year, he had a great game, but that’s one game like so who knows! Definitely would go with him or Haidara today though, give Santoon a much needed rest!
Hatem's better than Messi
Dec 29, 2013 at 9:39 AM
Comment #3Arsenal usually manage to carve us apart at will.
I’m not a big fan of our CB’s. I know they are having a decent patch together and I’m pleased for the team but I have little confidence in Willo.
Saylor should be our No1 CB but he’s an idiot.
Colo is clever but too slow.
MBiwa is class but he’s young and needs games. He will make a mistake or two but he’s the future?
Pick a CB pairing to play quick one-twos around and Willo and Colo are the easiest meat in the division.
PK-Norway
Dec 29, 2013 at 9:44 AM
Comment #4And you think Arsenal or Man Utd have better CB pairing right now? I don’t think so.. But I wish tha Mbiwa and Taylor would work someday.. But none of them are smart like Colo..
asenski
Dec 29, 2013 at 9:55 AM
Comment #5i would play that team as anita should be benched instead of ben arfa
Dannyo
Dec 29, 2013 at 10:01 AM
Comment #6This might just be the closest poll I’ve seen on this blog.
I’m off. Howay The Lads!
jesperfuglsang - captain of the lemon crew
Dec 29, 2013 at 10:17 AM
Comment #7That story about Jonas still seems a little too far fetched to me!
Shadow_Shearer
Dec 29, 2013 at 10:18 AM
Comment #8Arsenal always play 4-2-3-1 formation. I reckon we can go toe to toe with them in that formation. But we will need tioti and sissoko to sit in front of the defence, protect them from the likes of carzola, ozil, Wilcott. And cabaye with his more advanced role has got him 3 goals in 3. Midfield I believe will be key, if we control that, arsenal strikers won’t have a sniff. Here’s my team.
Krul
Debuchy-MYM-Willo-santon
Tioti-sissoko
Remy-cabaye-gouffy
HBA
I fancy remy and gouffy to get us goals at SJP. So HBA and cabaye can do all da play making. And defensively gouffy and sissoko can help out Santon against Wilcott. Same way we trebled up against Townsend against Tottenham.
Black and White with an army lol
Dec 29, 2013 at 10:19 AM
Comment #9i think for today’s game we need to push up our defence and have the offside trap on using a 4-3-3, Collo & Willo are maybe slow but if they can use there position correct they could make Arsenal keep going offside.
but for the likes of it i can see AP having a defensive approach to today’s game, defend & counter which i think is pathetic considering we are at home.
fareasttoon
Dec 29, 2013 at 10:48 AM
Comment #104231 for me
Tiote and Anita in front of back 4. Cabaye just behind remy. Sissoko on right with debuchy and goff on left with santon. Goff will cover santon like always.
Anita the Legend
Dec 29, 2013 at 10:56 AM
Comment #11Black and White
I don’t think it would be pathetic to set up defensively. To be honest, we actually did that against Chelsea and it worked, gradually we grew into it and went toe-to-toe once we knew we had em in in the crosshairs.
I know we are at home, but Walcott is so dangerous countering and mate, their playmaker cost more than our whole team, so we need to be smart about this one.
I would drop HBA. This run we are on is due to two balanced hard-working wings and players with not only the work rate, but also a bit of ability in defending too. HBA might have the heart and might really try to work hard, but he wouldn’t provide that cover for Debs that Moussa would. And if we think back, that used to cause us loads of problems. It even made Debs look crap! Now he looks solid, it’s thanks to the set up down the wings that we have won so many games.
1949BH PROUDTOBEAGEORDIE
Dec 29, 2013 at 11:56 AM
Comment #12another anti ncle story from the chronicle mirror group following on from the one about charging for interviews .hope we dont use gutti unless in emergency. i think we will play the same team as at palace and bring on ben arfa and shola as subs again, although like most would replace collo or and santon. whoever we play i hope we have a good go against them.west ham had a lot of chances against them and they are not that good.
kilcline
Dec 29, 2013 at 12:06 PM
Comment #13Hopefully this will be Cabaye’s finest display in a toon shirt, he will want to show Arsenal what they are missing.
I would activily target Arsenal’s lack of pace through the middle, Remy and Gouffran cutting in from out wide will be our biggest threat. I would play Sissoko out right and ping diagonal balls to the back stick as Gibbs is not great in the air.
gazzaforever
Dec 29, 2013 at 12:13 PM
Comment #14Anita are you nuts, a game like this one needs a gamechanger like HBA, he creates chances, he s a permanent treat for a defense.