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Arsenal logo
Premier League
Dec 13, 2014 at 5.30pm UK
 
Newcastle logo

4-1

Giroud (15', 58'), Cazorla (54', 88' pen.)
FT(HT: 1-0)
Perez (63')

Preview: Arsenal vs. Newcastle United

Sports Mole previews the Premier League clash between Arsenal and Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium as Arsene Wenger seeks to answer more of his critics.

Arsene Wenger will seek to quieten more of his critics when Arsenal host Newcastle United in the Premier League's Saturday evening kickoff.

Protests against the Frenchman's continued management intensified following the 3-2 defeat to Stoke City, in which the Gunners fell three behind by the break.

The 65-year-old was booed by Arsenal fans upon his arrival at a train station for the return journey from the Britannia Stadium, an incident which came a week after anti-Wenger signs were showcased during the 1-0 home win over West Bromwich Albion.

The unrest stems from the frustration of only winning one trophy in nine years - last season's FA Cup - and indifferent results which have left Arsenal sixth in the table and 13 points adrift of leaders Chelsea.

Wenger has urged the club's supporters to concentrate on positives such as reaching the last 16 of the Champions League for a 15th successive year, although their 4-1 win over Galatasaray in Istanbul on Tuesday was only enough for them to come runners-up to Borussia Dortmund in Group D.

Further backlash could follow if their second-place finish leads to elimination at the hands of Real Madrid, Barcelona or Bayern Munich, all of whom are possible opponents in the first knockout stage and would have been avoided had it not been for a costly slip-up at home to Anderlecht.

Newcastle have shown first hand this season how keeping faith in a manager can pay dividends, with Alan Pardew having overcome intense pressure on his future to take the
Magpies from bottom to seventh in the table - level on points with the Gunners.

Their best of six wins in their last eight games came last weekend as a second-half double from substitute Papiss Cisse ended Chelsea's 21-match unbeaten start to the season with a 2-1 victory at St James' Park.

The Senegalese striker is almost certain to be promoted to the starting XI as the visitors go in search of another scalp, with Moussa Sissoko unavailable after picking up his fifth yellow card of the campaign.

Steven Taylor is also suspended following his dismissal against the Blues, and joins Tim Krul, Rob Elliot, Siem de Jong, Gabriel Obertan, Davide Santon, Ryan Taylor and Rolando Aarons on the absentee list.

Paul Dummett is therefore likely to revert to central defence, with Massadio Haidara brought in at left-back. Pardew has confirmed that 21-year-old goalkeeper Jak Alnwick will start after producing several important saves when making his debut as a half-time substitute for Elliot last Saturday.

Wenger also has injury worries ahead of the match at the Emirates Stadium, with Jack Wilshere, Mikel Arteta, Mesut Ozil, Theo Walcott and Nacho Monreal out, and Aaron Ramsey and Laurent Koscielny doubts.

With Calum Chambers banned, Koscielny's unavailability would leave Per Mertesacker as Arsenal's only recognised senior centre-back, so either Kieran Gibbs or Mathieu Debuchy may been used out of position.

Debuchy, who left Newcastle to join the Londoners in the summer, made his comeback from a three-month layoff in Turkey, where Alexis Sanchez, Santi Cazorla, Danny Welbeck and Olivier Giroud were all rested.

Despite Lukas Podolski's brace, the hosts will revert to their first-choice attack, with Welbeck shifted out wide to accommodate Giroud. Wojciech Szczesny is fit again and will replace Emiliano Martinez in goal.

Newcastle have won only once since Arsenal's move to the Emirates Stadium - a 1-0 victory in 2010.

Arsenal:

Form in Premier League: WLLWWL
Form in all competitions: LWWWLW

Possible starting lineup: Szczesny; Bellerin, Mertesacker, Debuchy, Gibbs; Ramsey, Flamini; Cazorla, Sanchez, Welbeck; Giroud

Newcastle:

Recent form: WWWLDW

Possible starting lineup: Alnwick; Janmaat, Coloccini, Dummett; Haidara; Colback, Tiote; Ameobi, Cabella, Perez; Cisse

Sports Mole says: 2-1


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Alexis Sanchez of Arsenal celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the UEFA Champions League Group D match between Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund at the Emirates Stadium on November 26, 2014
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