Jimbo 133 Posted March 20, 2009 Share Posted March 20, 2009 Newcastle v Arsenal PREMIER LEAGUE Venue: St James' Park Date: Saturday, 21 March Kick-off: 1730 GMT Coverage: Score updates on Final Score, BBC Sport website and BBC Radio 5 Live; live text commentary on BBC Sport website; Highlights on Match of the Day -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Midfielder Kevin Nolan goes straight back into the Newcastle squad after completing a three-match suspension. Defender Habib Beye has resumed training after recovered from ankle ligament damage and may feature. Arsenal keeper Manuel Almunia (ankle) should be available while defender Mikael Silvestre could be in contention after 10 weeks out with a calf injury. Captain Cesc Fabregas (knee) and striker Eduardo (groin) are training again but are not expected to feature. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Newcastle (from): Harper, Forster, Krul, S. Taylor, Beye, Bassong, Coloccini, Enrique, Edgar, Cacapa, Butt, Duff, R. Taylor, Gutierrez, Nolan, Lovenkrands, Geremi, Ameobi, Smith, Martins, Owen, Carroll. Arsenal (from): Almunia, Sagna, Toure, Gallas, Clichy, Nasri, Denilson, Song, Walcott, Arshavin, Van Persie, Fabianski, Djourou, Gibbs, Vela, Bendtner, Eboue, Diaby, Silvestre. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger: "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." Make your Premier League predictions BIG-MATCH FACTS Arsenal continue their defence of the only unbeaten Premier League record in 2009, away to Newcastle, who've won just once this calendar year, and have only goal difference between themselves and the relegation zone. The Magpies are the top-flight's draw specialists with 11 of their 29 matches finishing all square; in total Newcastle and Arsenal have drawn 21 league games this term. These clubs have also had a total eight players sent off in Premier League games; Newcastle five, Arsenal three. Arsenal have won their last three meetings with Newcastle in the Premier League and FA Cup, all by 3-0 scorelines, but all three have been at the Emirates Stadium. The Magpies recorded their only victory in 18 league and cup meetings with Arsenal, when Nol Solano scored the only goal of the game in this corresponding fixture on 10 December 2005. Distance between the clubs: 280 miles (450 kilometres) This is Arsenal's longest journey of this Premier League season, and the longest of any top-flight club this weekend. CLUB FORM NEWCASTLE UNITED Club stats 16th 29 points Highest achievable after Saturday's matches: 14th Lowest could fall: 18th Best & Worst categories in 2008-09 Premier League 1. Pressing for a first win in five Premier League matches; drawn two and lost two since beating West Bromwich Albion 2-3 at the Hawthorns on 7 February. 2. That victory is their only win in 13 games in all competitions, and in 11 Premier League matches. 3. Kept just one clean sheet in 12 top-flight games; the goalless draw, home to Everton on 22 February. 4. Lost one of the 10 Premier League games in which they opened the scoring (home to Manchester United in the most recent on 4 March); failed to win any of the 16 matches in which the opening goal has been conceded (lost 11). 5. Already lost home and away to Blackburn. The Gunners could become the second of a possible four clubs to complete the double over them. Aston Villa is the only club in the top-half they have beaten. 6. Lost the last two home matches against 'Big Four' clubs; 1-5 against Liverpool and 1-2 to Manchester United. 7. Not won in 15 against the quartet of Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United; the 2-1 home win over Liverpool on 10 February 2007 is their only triumph in 21 fixtures against the four clubs. 8. Registered one Premier League victory against a London club this term; the 2-1 triumph over Tottenham at St James' Park on 21 December 2008. 9. This is the first of back-to-back fixtures against London's top two clubs. Chelsea visit Tyneside on 4 April. There are six-pointers scheduled, away to Stoke on 11 April and home to Portsmouth on 27 April, and Liverpool and Aston Villa are still to be visited among their eight remaining fixtures following this. Fixtures -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ARSENAL Club stats 4th 52 points Highest achievable after Saturday's matches: 4th Lowest could realistically fall: 4th Best & Worst categories in 2008-09 Premier League 1. Tuesday's come-from-behind victory over Hull in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, means they have suffered just one defeat in 20 in all competitions. 2. Won seven and drawn eight of their last 15 Premier League matches. Not lost in the top-flight since a 3-0 defeat, away to Manchester City on 22 November. 3. Kept clean sheets in five of the last six league games, conceding just one goal in those half dozen fixtures. Let in only three Premier League goals in 2009; fewer than any other club. 4. Scored a total of seven goals in two Premier League outings, after failing to net in the previous four. 5. Down by 14 points on this same stage last season, when top of the table. 6. Lost only one and won 11 of 15 league games in which they have scored first; the defeat being home to Hull. 7. Already beaten Bolton, Blackburn and West Brom home and away. Newcastle could become the fourth of a possible eight teams they could do the double over. Hull and Stoke are the only bottom-half clubs they have lost to. 8. Won three and drawn four of the last seven away games in the Premier League; kept one clean sheet in nine on the road (the goalless draw with Tottenham on 8 February), and 23 goals in 14 games makes theirs the third strongest attack away from home in the highest league. 9. Won one and drawn three of their four Premier League matches against North-East clubs this season; the 2-1 defeat away to Middlesbrough on 9 December 2007 is their only loss in 16 games against clubs from the region. 10. Their remaining fixtures includes game against all three of the other 'Big Four' clubs; home to Chelsea and away to Manchester United and Liverpool. Fixtures KEY PLAYER NOTES NEWCASTLE UNITED Squad profiles Fabricio COLOCCINI is the only remaining player to have started every one of Newcastle's Premier League matches this season. Michael OWEN is the club's top Premier League scorer with eight goals. If selected:- Kevin NOLAN will be making his 300th career league appearance (Bolton and Newcastle). Shola AMEOBI will be making his 250th appearance in Newcastle colours. If on the field from the outset:- Steven TAYLOR will be making his 100th league start for the Magpies. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ARSENAL Squad profiles Robin VAN PERSIE is Arsenal's top Premier League scorer with nine goals. VAN PERSIE scored two of those nine goals in the reverse fixture with Newcastle in August. Manuel ALMUNIA is the only remaining player to have started all of Arsenal's Premier League matches this season. If selected:- Nicklas BENDTNER will be making his 50th career Premier League appearance - all in Arsenal colours. HEAD TO HEAD Arsenal are unbeaten in seven league and cup matches against Newcastle. The Gunners are hoping to wrap up a third Premier League double over the Tyneside club, and first since 2004-05. Home and away League (inc PL): Newcastle 61 wins, Arsenal 56, Draws 34 Prem: Newcastle 8 wins, Arsenal 15, Draws 8 at Newcastle only League (inc PL): Newcastle 40 wins, Arsenal 18, Draws 17 Prem: Newcastle 5 wins, Arsenal 4, Draws 6 LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME Newcastle United 1-1 Arsenal 5 November 2007 - Ref: Mike Dean Newcastle scorer: Taylor 60 Arsenal scorer: Adebayor 4 THIS SEASON'S REVERSE FIXTURE Arsenal 3-0 Newcastle United 30 August 2008 - Ref: Rob Styles Arsenal scorers: Van Persie 18 pen, 41, Denilson 59 REFEREE Mark Halsey (Lancashire) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Papa Lazaru 0 Posted March 20, 2009 Share Posted March 20, 2009 Wonder which teams will turn up for this one? Will it be the total football, can beat anyone in the world arsenal or the whingeing spoilt brats who piss about and can lose to far inferior teams and will they be playing the NUFC who suddenly looked like a half decent team against manu or the sack of shite we've seen at Hull, Bolton etc!!! If Hughton picks Smith and Geremi ahead of Lovenkrands and uses Shola ahead of any other attacker then he should never be allowed near the team again. I saw him in the chronicle bemoaning the lack of service to Oba and Owen against Hull, failing to mention he was the retard who picked a midfield that would make the cast of Dad's army (as the are now!) look young and pacy! I said of the 3 games with manu, arse and chelsea we would pick up something in at least one of them as we always seem to manage one effort like that, but i'm worried now that we turned in a good performance against manu and got nothing! Still i'll be massively optimistic and say we'll get something from tomorrows game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spongebob toonpants 3606 Posted March 20, 2009 Share Posted March 20, 2009 ****WARNING****** CRACKPOT THEORY AHEAD**********WARNING If Beye is fit I would play toontastic favourite S Taylor up front. I genuinely think he would be more use than Shola or Carrol, and both Owen and Martins would benefit from a big lad putting himself about up front. Obviously I would prefer a fit in-form Viduka, or anybody with a clue, failing that....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbo 133 Posted March 20, 2009 Author Share Posted March 20, 2009 I'm predicting the usual Vs top 4 on TV capitulation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Papa Lazaru 0 Posted March 20, 2009 Share Posted March 20, 2009 ****WARNING****** CRACKPOT THEORY AHEAD**********WARNING If Beye is fit I would play toontastic favourite S Taylor up front. I genuinely think he would be more use than Shola or Carrol, and both Owen and Martins would benefit from a big lad putting himself about up front. Obviously I would prefer a fit in-form Viduka, or anybody with a clue, failing that....... If it was a straight choice of Taylor vs Shola up front i may just agree with you and i'm not joking! However I'd be picking any of the other strikers before either of them. Taylors finish against Hull was better than anything he's likely to do as a defender and it said in the chron tonight he was a striker when younger apprently. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charvski 0 Posted March 20, 2009 Share Posted March 20, 2009 the thought of seeing taylor playing upfront brought a big smile to my face. his finish at hull shows us he can score. and anyone would be better than shola surely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ketsbaia 0 Posted March 20, 2009 Share Posted March 20, 2009 I hate Taylor but as a striker he's better than Shola. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbo 133 Posted March 20, 2009 Author Share Posted March 20, 2009 I hate Josef Fritzel but as a striker he's better than Shola. FYP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manc-mag 1 Posted March 20, 2009 Share Posted March 20, 2009 Started drinking now tbh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest alex Posted March 20, 2009 Share Posted March 20, 2009 Started drinking now tbh. Almost as funny as playing Taylor upfront. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tooj 17 Posted March 20, 2009 Share Posted March 20, 2009 Started drinking now tbh. Safe journeys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duo 0 Posted March 21, 2009 Share Posted March 21, 2009 Lets face it no one is expecting us to get anything from this game. I just want us to have a go !!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smoggeordie 0 Posted March 21, 2009 Share Posted March 21, 2009 Looks like we'll be going with Harper S Taylor Coloccini Bassong Enrique Lovenkrands Smith Butt Nolan Gutierrez Martins with a bench of Krul R Taylor Owen Shola Cacapa and some others i've probably forgotten Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charvski 0 Posted March 21, 2009 Share Posted March 21, 2009 i say put all our scrappers in the middle and kick shit out of them, and put our only pacey players out wide. belt the ball out wide, let them run and hope for the best. I could sound like chris hughton style tic tacs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JaMoUsE 0 Posted March 21, 2009 Share Posted March 21, 2009 walcotts out for the rest of the season(got injured in training yesterday - http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/w...t-at-new-injury ) which is good news for us today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Park Life 70 Posted March 21, 2009 Share Posted March 21, 2009 I hate Taylor but as a striker he's better than Shola. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Onion 0 Posted March 21, 2009 Share Posted March 21, 2009 Looks like they're aiming for something like last season's home game v Arsenal. That was the game where the players got loads of praise for a 'battling performance' having been shite for five games previous Smith had his only good game for us that day, when he was going up and battling for the long balls, dropping back into midfield when they had it if I remember it right. To be fair to the useless cunt he did well that game. I think that's what we'll see tonight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JaMoUsE 0 Posted March 21, 2009 Share Posted March 21, 2009 Rsenal fans are all in agreement they will start with this side almunia sagna-gallas-Touré-clichy nasri-diaby-denilson-arshavin van persie-bendtner Beatable imo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingKev 0 Posted March 21, 2009 Share Posted March 21, 2009 I've had a dream this night we're gonna win it late on - a Nicky Butt header deciding the game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Park Life 70 Posted March 21, 2009 Share Posted March 21, 2009 I've had a dream this night we're gonna win it late on - a Nicky Butt header deciding the game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbo 133 Posted March 21, 2009 Author Share Posted March 21, 2009 You get the feeling today result could well be decided the moment the teamsheet is pinned to the dressing room wall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Park Life 70 Posted March 21, 2009 Share Posted March 21, 2009 You get the feeling today result could well be decided the moment the teamsheet is pinned to the dressing room wall. Yup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acrossthepond 707 Posted March 21, 2009 Share Posted March 21, 2009 Decided long before that. I'm just hoping we don't lose by enough to harm our precious goal difference I'm pretty sure Ryan Taylor is a right back...why have we never played him in his natural position? Is he being "re-conditioned" like Smith? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingKev 0 Posted March 21, 2009 Share Posted March 21, 2009 I think it's vital we get one or two points out of these three home games against ManUre, Chelsea & Arsenal. Can't see us winning any of the remaining games away from home nor winning the three home games v Pompey, Boro & Fulham. We will drop points in at least one of these three 'must-win' matches. That IS depressing stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isegrim 8884 Posted March 21, 2009 Share Posted March 21, 2009 Owen and Jonas on the bench. Championship here we come! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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