Tomiyasu starts Kai Havertz decision made: Arsenal will rip Newcastle apart with this brilliant lineup
Following a disappointing exit from the Carabao Cup earlier in the week, Mikel Arteta understands that Arsenal cannot afford to dwell on their setback.
“The pain lingers,” Arteta acknowledged in his pre-match press conference. “After a defeat, it takes some time to recover, but our complete focus is now on facing Newcastle.”
Arteta himself acknowledges that playing at St. James’ Park poses one of the most challenging tasks in the Premier League.
While Arsenal secured a remarkable win in May last season, consistent success in recent years has been elusive.
The manager recognizes the importance of making the right team choices to replicate the previous year’s success. This analysis from ArsenalBrief delves into how Arteta might structure his Gunners team against Newcastle.
Goalkeeper – David Raya
The introduction of David Raya by Mikel Arteta during the midweek match highlighted the reason behind his acquisition.
Aaron Ramsdale frequently resorted to long passes, and it’s likely that Raya will be reinstated as Arsenal aim to assert greater control in the upcoming game.
Right-back – Ben White
Mikel Arteta confirmed that Arsenal is making every effort to secure Ben White’s signature on a new contract. He’ll be looking to put his recent midweek own goal behind him and showcase his abilities at St. James’ Park, aiming to demonstrate why he’s an asset to the team.
Centre-back – William Saliba
The sole player who has participated in every minute of Arsenal’s Premier League campaign so far is expected to return to the squad against Newcastle after being rested during the midweek fixture.
Centre-back – Gabriel
Gabriel did not perform at his peak level against West Ham. His confidence in the left centre back position might have been affected, especially with Jakub Kiwior’s impressive display alongside him in the heart of the defense. However, it’s likely that Gabriel will retain his position for the upcoming match despite the competition from Kiwior.
Left-back – Takehiro Tomiyasu
Oleksandr Zinchenko’s recent performance suggests that Takehiro Tomiyasu has surged ahead in the competition for the left-back position. The Japanese international has been excelling in form, evidenced by being voted as Arsenal’s player of the month. He has frequently been Mikel Arteta’s preferred choice, particularly in more significant matches.
Defensive midfield – Jorginho
Jorginho delivered a remarkable performance at St. James’ Park last season. The Italian midfielder excels in challenging and hostile environments, making his experience a valuable asset for Arsenal on their challenging away trip.
Central midfield – Declan Rice
Last season, Mikel Arteta commented that Arsenal lacked the physical strength to compete with Newcastle in the midfield. With Declan Rice now part of the team, Arsenal likely has the capability to match their opponents, potentially going head-to-head in terms of physicality in the middle of the park.
Central midfield – Martin Odegaard
Mikel Arteta appeared to suggest that Martin Odegaard has moved past the most difficult phase of his hip injury concerns. With the confidence from scoring a late goal against West Ham, he will be optimistic about reproducing the exceptional performance he showcased at St. James’ Park last season.
Right wing – Bukayo Saka
Although it might have been unexpected to see Bukayo Saka brought on when Arsenal were trailing 3-0 at West Ham during the midweek game, it’s anticipated that he will still be included in the starting lineup against Newcastle.
Centre forward – Eddie Nketiah
After his hat-trick against Sheffield United, Eddie Nketiah had a relatively subdued performance at West Ham. This has led to a suggestion that Kai Havertz might be a better choice to start ahead of Nketiah in the upcoming match.
However, Arteta has often leaned towards the England international, particularly in significant games this season, which might influence his decision to give Nketiah the opportunity on Saturday.
Left wing – Gabriel Martinelli
Leandro Trossard’s performance on Wednesday didn’t pose much of a threat to Gabriel Martinelli’s position as the starting left winger. The Brazilian player is currently in good form and will aim to replicate his goal-scoring success from the previous visit to St. James’ Park.
Tomiyasu starts Kai Havertz decision made: Arsenal will rip Newcastle apart with this brilliant lineup