The first game of the new year is upon us and this weekend the Gunners take on Newcastle at the Emirates. Steve McClaren’s side are without a win in three games and two points adrift of safety from the relegation zone. Arsene Wenger’s men, by contrast, are at the top of the league and will be looking at this game as an opportunity to put some distance between themselves and both Leicester and Manchester City.
The main threat that Newcastle’s arsenal possesses is Dutchman Georginio Wijnaldum. The attacking midfielder has been one of the club’s only bright sparks this season and is currently their top scorer in the league. His ability on the ball is top quality and he is not afraid to take on his man should the need arise. However, he is also an astute passer of the ball and so is likely to be the talisman behind most of the Newcastle attacks. The best way to deal with someone like Wijnaldum is to make sure that the defence maintains their shape and that the two central midfielders in the side track back quickly so as to position themselves in front of the Dutchman. This way, he will have to either take them on himself or simply pass sideways. This stunts Newcastle’s attack and means that the Gunners maintain control over the game.
The other important talking point with Newcastle is that their senior ‘keeper Tim Krul is unavailable for the game in London. His replacement, Rob Elliot, was away last week with a stomach bug and so will lack the match sharpness that Newcastle would have liked him to have. Therefore, it goes without question that the Gunners must not be afraid to shoot. With a less-than-confident goalkeeper between the sticks, it is more likely than ever that the shots which the Gunners take will go in.
In attack, the Gunners must go into the game with the same mindset that they had against Bournemouth; control the game. If they dictate the possession and dominate the chances being made, then there is no reason why they can’t stick several goals past the Toons.
This is definitely a game that Arsenal can and must win. With Newcastle floundering in the relegation zone, the Gunners must capitalise and claim all three points so as to extend their tenure at the peak of the Barclays Premier League table.
