Arsenal vs Newcastle United Magpies (EPL) 18Jan2021

Have to win with a better showing than palace

 

You’re not awake for the thriller brewing in the Gabba?

I’m still sad that Asad Shafiq couldn’t see through what would have been a world record chase there a few years back.

 

IDK this one feels a little bit like a banana peel to me.

Yes Mari picked up a calf strain (?) midweek.

Partey still seems a bit short, or they’re just being extra cautious this time.

Gabriel is fit supposedly but we should remember that he did recently have Covid. I think the sportsworld in general seems to trivialize to a degree the recovery pace and potential of someone who’s had that, even an elite athlete. So fingers crossed with him!!

p.s. for those of you who are fans of Gunnerblog’s Magpie-Facts ditties, there’s a new one of those up on this week’s Arsecast pod.

 

Depends on whether he was asymptomatic or not. If he tested positive, but didn’t have symptoms he’s probably ok. If he developed a cough he could have lung damage, which requires some caution.

 

Just watch out for Andy Carroll

 

I can't even predict this. We should win it, but who knows? City showed how to despatch Palace when we struggled against them.

 

He had four in 21 minutes vs Palace.

 

I guess. I woke up to my radio alarm this morning and someone was saying that the most common residual effect of Covid after 6 months or so, is lethargy & muscle weakness. And I've heard that lung function is another one.

Newcastle's St.Maximin has just returned to training after being out with Covid for 3-4 weeks. That's figured into Newcastle's rocky results over that period, and it's probably lucky for us, assuming he doesn't figure into today's match.

But it just emphasizes my point that you can't really take for granted that an elite athlete who contracts this virus, will bounce back quickly to 100%

 

Here's the team news that was posted yesterday:
Team news: Martinelli, Mari and Tierney | Team news | News | Arsenal.com

Mari is confirmed still out
Martinelli is available
Tierney is back in training but seems doubtful for today

 

Martinelli alone makes a huge difference

if tierney is out we should play saka lwb and use Pepe rw

personally I would drop auba

 

* Partey and Tierney start
* Cedric starts at RB over Bellerin? No AMN on the bench?
* Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Classic are both on the bench

📋 Here's how we line up tonight…

🇬🇭 @ThomasPartey22 starts
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 @KieranTierney1 returns
🇵🇹 @OficialCedric also in starting XI

#️⃣ #ARSNEW

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 18, 2021

 

Gotta wonder on AMN. Even with his rough outing last game, he should be a better option at RB then Cedric. Wonder if he is sick or pushing for a move?

 

Starting both Tierney & Partey says to me that Arteta is a risk-taker... or is feeling a lot of pressure
I suspect Bellerin may be not 100% or being given a rest
AMN has been pretty much in the dog house for quite some time (and he hasn't done much to get out of it from what I can tell)

Meanwhile, the NHL game is finally over so the NBCSN pregame can finally begin!!!

The first match of the post-Ozil era...

COYG!!!!

 

I missed it, but the pregame just said something about Ozil and Arsenal parting ways. Can anybody update me?

 

And that backline is a little worrisome. I guess w/ both Partey and Xhaka in front of them it should be ok

 

Aight - let's do this.

 

He’s gone. At Fernebache(sp?). Don’t know the details tho

 

I loved watching him play. Silky, and could unlock a defence with a brilliant pass.

 

This Newcastle XI is a pretty strong one. At least it has a lot of veteran quality. I doubt this will be a cake walk.

But since it's a Monday night at least we get to listen to the dulcet tones of Martin Tyler & Andy Townshend.

 

For sure, much more of a legend for us than RVP and Cesc who never won us anything.