Newcastle welcome Arsenal to St James’ Park on Saturday for the fourth gameweek of the season. The Magpies come into the game on the back of a draw at Old Trafford and a thumping of Northampton in midweek, while Arsenal’s last outing was a 0-0 draw at home to Liverpool.
Steve McClaren and his coaching staff will be instilling the players with confidence this week – insisting this is a winnable fixture having watched their performance against West Ham on the opening day.
Ahead of the game, a few of our writers predict how Newcastle should line-up:
THOMAS BORE
No square pegs in round holes please Steve! After the Northampton game, I saw fans debating whether Janmaat should be thrown back into the team against Arsenal. While I can see the reasoning behind ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ but I would much rather have players in their natural positions than force Mbemba to play right-back once again.
After his performance last weekend and mid-week, Thauvin has to start on the left, with Ayoze on the other wing – unless Moussa Sissoko makes a dramatic recovery.
Mitrovic should also start again due to his brilliant hold up play, which could be useful as Arsenal are likely to dominate possession.
MICHAEL BROWN
It’s pretty much the best line up at Newcastle at the minute, Janmaat comes back at right back and after scoring in the midweek 4-1 victory over Northampton Town in Capital One Cup. It will then allow Mbemba to move back in the centre and replace Taylor. Tiote didn’t have his best game in midweek and I still feel Colback and Anita are the guys for the centre of midfield. Sissoko is expected to be fit and would expect him to slot back in where he left off. Wijnaldum was rested in midweek and should make the starting line-up. Mitrovic I hope and expect to be starting as he needs game time to build up his match fitness and when he has played he’s looked the part. I expect the first name on the team sheet to be new boy Thauvin, who, by anyone’s standards, had a stunning first game at St James’ Park – netting his first goal and then going to grab three assists.
MICHAEL OLIVER
After his dazzling display midweek in the Capital One Cup against Northampton, Thauvin has be involved from the start against Arsenal. His dead-ball delivery will be imperative for Mitrovic to have an impact, especially with Mertesacker set to miss out again this weekend. Bringing Tiote back into the midfield will help add some protection to the back four with Arsenal’s glut of attacking options.
LEE WILSON
Same team as the Manchester United game except Thauvin in for Obertan. I wouldn’t want to disturb a defense which performed so brilliantly. Thauvin to start as his set pieces and general wing play was a delight to see against Northampton.
Whose line-up do you agree with or would you select a different XI? Let us know in the comments section below.
