Jorginho back in Arsenal lineup, Jurrien Timber in match day squad’: Predicted Arsenal XI vs Newcastle as Arteta set to Unleash His strongest squad
After a disappointing defeat to Porto in midweek Arsenal will look to get back to winning ways against Newcastle on Saturday. Wednesday night’s Champions League loss saw the Gunners savviness in European competition called into question, and Mikel Arteta has admitted it’s something his side can improve.
“Yes, we certainly can develop a lot of things and those experiences are really relevant to judge whether we were or we weren’t,” he said in his pre-match press conference. “Just because a goal [was scored], I don’t think it’s that fair and I was very clear with them about it because I believed that they did a lot of things right. But managing games and things like that, we can still improve. But in a year’s time for sure, we can still improve, and we can improve in our build-up phase, and we can improve in our restarts. We can improve in many areas.”
Against an equally streetwise Newcastle side Arsenal will know they can’t afford to spend any time feeling sorry for themselves. The Gunners remain five points off the top of the Premier League, but with Liverpool playing in the Carabao Cup this weekend, they have the chance to close that to two.
As a result it’s crucial that Mikel Arteta gets his team selection bang on. Thankfully football.londo ‘s Arsenal writers Kaya Kaynak, Husmukh Kerai and Joe Doyle are on hand to help.
Husmukh Kerai – Central audience editor
Arsenal missed the calm and composure of Jorginho from the start in the Champions League defeat away to Porto, he needs to return to the midfield in the role he excelled in against Liverpool a few weeks ago. Against a combative Newcastle side who will spend the majority of the game without the ball, I think it’s wise to play Declan Rice as the deepest midfielder to stop the Magpies’ potential counter-attacks while deploying Jorginho slightly ahead to dictate the tempo and control the points of attack.
Leandro Trossard had a largely anonymous game against Porto but it’s Gabriel Martinelli I would take out of the attack. There is unlikely to be any space in-behind the Newcastle defence, so Trossard would be a better option on the left wing. Considering the physicality of Eddie Howe’s defence, it also makes sense for Kai Havertz to take up the central striker role to combat the visitor’s back line.
Kerai’s Arsenal XI vs Newcastle – Raya; Kiwior, Gabriel, Saliba, White; Jorginho, Rice, Odegaard; Trossard, Havertz, Saka.
Joe Doyle – Content editor
While it’s a tight turnaround from the midweek game to a big Saturday night clash, I don’t expect Mikel Arteta to make too many changes. Yes, there are a few players returning from injury, but if they’re not yet nailed on in terms of fitness, they shouldn’t be starting.
The back five picks itself at the moment, due to both the recent form and the paucity of replacement options. Further forward, I think we may see Kai Havertz move into attack to play as a No.10 alongside Martin Odegaard as he did to good effect against Liverpool, with Leandro Trossard dropping to the bench after a lack of impact in Porto.
I think we’ll see Jorginho come into the midfield. This game could have a bit of needle after the last time the two sides met, and Jorginho annoying Bruno Guimaraes early on could be a key to disrupting Newcastle’s efforts on the ball – something Havertz doesn’t really have the knack for just yet.
Doyle’s Arsenal XI vs Newcastle – Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior; Rice, Jorginho, Odegaard; Saka, Martinelli, Havertz.
Kaya Kaynak – Chief Arsenal correspondent
I think the Arsenal team could probably do with some rotation given the quick turnaround. There’s not that much wiggle room to do so though.
In defence, with Takehiro Tomiyasu and Oleksandr Zinchenko both still absent, you kind of have to stick with the same back four. Thomas Partey is technically an option at right back, but with his recent run of injuries I don’t think you can risk such a demanding role straight away.
In midfield I’m opting for a bit more experience against Newcastle’s dark arts. There are few better for this role than Jorginho, and alongside Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard he can help Arsenal win the midfield battle.
Up front it’s tempting to look at throwing a curveball and playing Emile Smith Rowe on the left wing. Both Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard were so poor in Porto that I don’t think either deserve to keep their place. With Gabriel Jesus still unfit I’m going for Kai Havertz through the middle and keeping Bukayo Saka on the right.
Kaynak’s Arsenal XI vs Newcastle – Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior; Jorginho, Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Havertz, Smith Rowe.
