FA Cup: The lineup Newcastle should deploy against Arsenal

Newcastle United need to be alert and ready to compete if they aim to eliminate Arsenal from the FA Cup.

Newcastle United will begin their FA Cup journey on Saturday, but the draw was not kind to them as they drew defending champions Arsenal. The game will be played at the Emirates Stadium in London.

Newcastle United enjoyed a decent, but frustrating run in the cup last season with wins over Rochdale, Oxford United, and West Brom to reach the quarter-final before losing to Manchester City. Steve Bruce is yet to defeat a Premier League side in a domestic cup, but can this proposed lineup reverse that trend?

Proposed Lineup

Formation: 4-4-2

Karl Darlow has been outstanding for the Toon in the Premier League, but Martin Dubravka should start for the first time since last season on Saturday as he looks to remind Bruce of what he brings to the team. Two changes should be made on the back line from the game against Leicester City for rotation purposes.

DeAndre Yedlin and Federico Fernandez should sit this one out in order to avoid injuries ahead of an important league encounter with Sheffield United next Tuesday. Paul Dummett should step in at wing-back, and Fabian Schar is the only available option to form a central duo with Ciaran Clark.

The wingers should consist of Miguel Almiron and Ryan Fraser, who has been a full participant in training. Jacob Murphy deserves to start over Almiron, but his services will be needed as a starter in top flight action.

The team sheet should list Isaac Hayden and Jonjo Shelvey as the duo in the middle. Matty Longstaff has solidified his place in the lineup over the last three games, but he needs to rest ahead of next Tuesday’s game. Hayden will be a disruptor in midfield, and hopefully Shelvey is having a good day to distribute the ball with precision.

Dwight Gayle is desperate for game time, but Callum Wilson has to get the nod due to the quality of the opposition on Saturday, and Andy Carroll might be the most useful partner alongside him to knock some balls down in the box. Seeing that Carroll scored in the last game, his confidence could benefit the Magpies.

Recap

Dubravka; Dummett, Schar, Clark, Ritchie; Almiron, Hayden, Shelvey, Fraser; Wilson, Carroll.