Arsenal v Newcastle

Arsenal had their Boxing Day game against West Ham postponed due to a possible tube strike , after 3 consecutive Premier League wins Arsene Wenger will be looking for a good home performance that will boost the players confidence and belief heading into the new year .


Newcastle will be wondering how they scored 3 goals at Old Trafford yet still lost ...a 4-3 defeat by Man Utd was disappointing for manager Alan Pardew but he said his side gave a good account of themselves even though they conceded some poor goals . Newcastle are currently 15th in the table .

Did you know that Newcastle have won just one of their last 10 Premier League games against Arsenal (W1 D5 L4).

Any comments or predictions?

Arsenal 2-0 Newcastle

After the Man Utd match, where they showed some fighting spirit, I feel that Newcastle can get something here.

Going for a 1-1 DRAW, but could easily be 2-2.

Right now, I'd fancy Newcastle, of the two teams, to get something out of this, if either did.

Line ups

ARSENAL:
Szczesny, Sagna, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Arteta, Wilshere, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Cazorla, Podolski, Walcott...

Subs: Mannone, Djourou, Ramsey, Coquelin, Rosicky, Gervinho, Giroud.

NEWCASTLE:
Krul; Simpson, Perch, Coloccini, Santon; Bigirimana, Tiote; Cisse, Marveaux, Obertan; Ba...

Subs: Harper, Ferguson, Tavernier, Streete, Abeid, Sammy Ameobi, Shola Ameobi.

Mertesacker was taken ill during the night so Koscielny plays at centre half.

Theo Walcott has kept his place as a main striker which mean Giroud stays on the bench.

For Newcastle Anita and Williamson are both out with injuries so Tiote and Obertan start today.

HT

Arsenal 1-1 Newcastle

Theo Walcott put Arsenal 1-0 ahead on 20 mins but Newcastle responded well
and found an equaliser when Demba Ba hit a free kick which took a deflection of Wilshere's back and flew in!

Can't fault the Geordies, they have really had a go at Arsenal and got the deserved reward. This is a fascinating game now, Venger vs Pardew in the second half, and right now I've got to say The Magpies are looking the value bet!

Demba Ba has done it again!

Its now Arsenal 3-3 Newcastle

FT

Arsenal 7-3 Newcastle
1-0 Walcott 20’
1-1 Ba 43’
2-1 Oxlade-Chamberlain 50’
2-2 Marveaux 59’
3-2 Podolski 64’
3-3 Ba 69’
4-3 Walcott 73’
5-3 Giroud 84’
6-3 Giroud 87'
7-3 Walcott 90’

Any comments on todays thrashing?

Has Theo Walcott done enough now to claim a regular strikers spot in the team?

Are Newcastle now in a fight against relegation?

Should Arsene Wenger go out of his way to sign Demba Ba in the January transfer window?

Walcott and Wenger continue to show their genius.

What's more, the bafoons who constantly belittle Walcott look even more stupid than they already did.

Amazing performance from Arsenal in last 20 minutes. I would never bet any money for such a high result. It's great the Gunners continue the series of games won in a row. This one is 4th. Keep it up guys and chase Chelsea!

Yeah!

The Battering Pardew deserves ,just need a couple more results like that against that pillock and i think justice would have been served. Newcastle had big players injured and Arsenal were about as close to full fitness as they have been all season,which leads me to believe Newcastle would have won this game if they had all their players based on the defending yet again by Arsenal. I think the major issue has been the loss of Song as to why they have been so sh!t this season. Arteta is not a defensive player even though he's been used as that since he's been an ARsenal player,and has done well for him. I think Marvaeux exposed that today ,Arteta just doesn't have the foot speed needed to give the back for a better sense of security.
So we need a player of the ilk of Song in that position or we will suffer like this all season. That last goal by Walcott was incredible ,dead cert penalty that FOY was not going to call and a nice little chip to finish it off.

who would have predicted another 8 goals after it being 1-1 at half time , we need to do all we can to keep Walcott , Wenger has already said he is not after Demba Ba ...

Newcastle in the last 2 matches suffered 11 goals, unbelievable.

They should buy someone in defense in this January transfer window otherwise they run the risk of being relegated to the Championship.

It must be remembered that Newcastle did have 9 first team players missing today but still to conceded seven goals is never good.

A couple more results like these and that 8 year contract will be like a noose around the clubs neck.

Newcastle faded badly in the last 20 mins ....it should have been 8-3 ...almost a hatrick for Giroud as well .

well done to Walcott....he was sorta selfish a bit there trying to take everything for himself but in the second half he was outstanding making and scoring goals...Arsenal need to hang on to him at all costs.

This is exactly my point about Liverpool needing a selfish striker,you said Walcott was being selfish but he scored a hat-trick and played superb...Walcott of old was normally in 2 minds whether to shoot or pass and in the end did neither,now he's that bit more selfish his finishing is becoming more clinical.

yeah true Gazza .....the old Walcott often ended up doing nothing after dithering on whether to shoot or pass ...i think with Robin Van Persie gone he also has that extra incentive to go on his own .