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Newcastle United: Previewing the Gunners with Pain In The Arsenal

By Roy Emanuel

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 25: A general view of Arsenal fans during the Carabao Cup Final between Arsenal and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on February 25, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 25: A general view of Arsenal fans during the Carabao Cup Final between Arsenal and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on February 25, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /
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Newcastle United host Arsenal, and we look at what to expect from the other side.

Newcastle United and manager Rafa Benitez will look for their fourth consecutive Premier League victory this weekend, as Arsenal visit St. James’ Park on Sunday. Despite an inconsistent overall campaign, the Gunners have hit a strong stride as of late.

Manager Arsene Wenger has led his squad to the UEFA Europa League semi-finals, and they have won their last three league games as well. The reverse fixture of this match was decided by one goal, as an impressive strike from Mesut Ozil was the difference in a 1-0 result back in December.

In anticipation of what should be a thrilling tie, Newcastle Toons had a chance to catch up with Pain In The Arsenal Site Expert Josh Sippie and discuss what to expect from United’s opponent this weekend.

Roy Emanuel: “Who are three Arsenal players that can have a massive influence on Sunday?”

Josh Sippie: “This is tough, because Wenger’s rotation has been thrown out of whack by injuries, so it’s unclear as ever who exactly is going to start, but here we go:

1. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – he’s settling in and setting records. Watch out.

2. Sead Kolasinac – Eventually, he has to find his way back into good form, and the more chances he gets, the better he gets. I expect him to be his usual wrecking-ball self in this one.

3. Granit Xhaka – I’ve been high on Xhaka for years and he is finding his best form in an Arsenal shirt yet. Plus he will be coming off a week of rest, given that he was left out of the Moscow trip due to illness.”

RE: “Any concern about fatigue after the trip to Moscow for the Europa League?”

JS: “Not really. Arsene Wenger has done a fantastic job with rest and rotation. It was a lot easier when Henrikh Mkhitaryan wasn’t hurt, but there are still plenty of options to ensure that most of the guys that are out there are fit and fresh.”

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RE: “If you can narrow it down to one area, what has been the biggest issue for the Gunners in 2017-18?”

JS: “The hardest part about this question is nailing it down to one area, because with Arsenal, there are always so many niggling issues. Consistency. The Gunners are a team that you truly never know what they may do. They can go to Stamford Bridge and hold Chelsea goalless, or they can get slaughtered by Swansea City. You really just never know.”

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RE: “Do you anticipate Arsene Wenger being the manager next season?”

JS: “Yes. For the first time, he is loading up on a ton of “ready now” players like Mkhitaryan and Aubameyang. This summer figures to be active as well, with similar stuff. He isn’t going to load up on all of that just to hand it off to someone else.

He wants one more go at glory, particularly Champions League glory. I might revise my tune if we get bounced from the Europa League, though.”

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RE: “What is your prediction for Sunday’s match?”

JS: “Playing away from home is always a bit precarious for Arsenal, and Newcastle have been in fine form lately. But as someone who literally never predicts an Arsenal loss, I’m going with a 2-1 win for the Gunners. It should be entertaining, at the very least.”