Arsenal travel to the North East tomorrow evening for a 5.30pm Kick Off against Newcastle United; with Arsenal chasing a Champions League place and Newcastle staving off a relegation battle, this meeting looks set to be full of ambition. Both sides play off the back of games against Hull City.
Newcastle managed a 1-1 draw whilst Arsenal secured a 2-1 win in the week which secured their place in the semi finals of the FA Cup. Whilst Newcastle's game against Hull was a quiet affair, Arsenal's match was shrouded in controversy after City manager Phil Brown accused Arsenal Captain Cesc Fabregas of spitting at his assistant manager in the tunnel once the game had ended.
Newcastle have won just 1 of their last 6 games, drawing 3, whilst Arsenal have won 4 and drawn just 1.
Newcastle's Caretaker manger Chris Hughton will be relieved to have two key players return to the pitch after several weeks of struggling with injuries and suspensions. Kevin Nolan returns having completed a 3 match ban issued after a nasty challenge on Everton's Victor Anichebe and Habib Beye makes his much anticipated return after recovering from ligament damage which has seen him sidelined since December.
In addition to the above Michael Owen will be keen to build on his comeback after admitting in midweek that his body often needs a few games to get back into form after a return from injury.
Danny Guthrie, who had hoped to make a comeback against Arsenal, remains sidelined but is targeting next week for his return, whilst Ignacio Gonzalez (Achilles), Joey Barton (metartarsal), Mark Viduka (Achilles) and Xisco (toe) all remain injured.
Arsene Wenger will be without Theo Walcott after announcing today that the young England International has picked up a knee injury in training. He will also be without Cesc Fabregas (knee), Eduardo (groin), Adebayor (hamstring) and Rosicky (hamstring tendon).
Arsenal do have some good news in the return of Mikael Silvestre, though he is likely to start on the bench and goalkeeper Almunia is anticipating a starting place after brushing off an ankle injury sustained against Blackburn.
Newcastle haven't had a win in their last 5 Premier League home matches, whilst Arsenal are unbeaten in their last 15 Premier League matches
Newcastle
Arsenal
29
Played
29
29
Points
52
6
Won
14
12
Lost
5
11
Drawn
10
35
Goals Scored
45
46
Goals Conceded
26
Match Preview/Stats/Thread: Newcastle v Arsenal
Posted by: TyneTalk (IP Logged)
Date: 20/03/2009 17:05
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Depending on results we definitely need something from this game to stay out of the bottom 3 thanks to Portsmouth winning, sadly I think we'll be 18th at the end of the weekend!
Stephen Taylor once again almost sent off. Should have had at least a yellow. He glanced down saw Arshavin then smacked him in the face on purpose. W*nker!!
Great 1st half.. We had a few very good chances. Arsenal have had a few good chances aswell, but only on the break. Just hope we convert a chance or two, otherwise we will likely get hit on the break, like we almost did right at the end of the first half.
Also, for some reason Butt hasn't played any aimless long balls, there may be hope for him yet.
Loven is limping. So we get flogged at home again. And added to that just when we're starting to get a fair few players back from injury we lose Bassong, Taylor and Loven in one game. Standard.
How is Ashley still managing a smile? No results went our way today - and we do not have an easy ride in our next loada games.
I don't even think the International break will benefit the team - just gives them a chance to fall back into old habits just like on the last break they had.
Coloccini was terrible second half, wasn't that great first, it all went @#$%& up when Diaby scored, Taylor was off the pitch too long, and the coaches didnt hurry the change, poor decisions on all accounts costing us a game we were fully in control of for some time, pitty
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