After playing out a string of draws before the mid-season break, Arsenal will be hoping to return to winning ways when they face Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium this afternoon.
Mikel Arteta’s men have played some good football in the past month or so, but haven’t been able to finish off teams in order to get the wins and climb up the table.
They’ll be looking to do that on Sunday, against a Newcastle team who are expected to sit deep and frustrate their opponents as much as possible.
In terms of team news for the Gunners, except the long-term absentees, everybody is fit to be part of the squad in this game.
Bukayo Saka has recovered from a knock he picked up during the Burnley game a couple of weeks back.
Arteta has a dilemma whether to stick with the out of form Alexandre Lacazette or get Nicolas Pepe back in the team.
On that note, let’s take a look at how we think he may line his XI up:
GK - Bernd Leno
Leno is Arsenal’s number one keeper and should be in goal this afternoon.
RB - Hector Bellerin
The Spaniard has been in decent form since his return from injury.
We think he is going to start against the Magpies.
CB - Shkodran Mustafi
A recent upsurge in form from the German international has led us to believe that Arteta may stick with him at the back for this game.
CB - David Luiz
We feel as if Luiz is probably Arsenal’s number one centre-back. So, having his name on the teamsheet for this game won’t be a surprise.
LB - Bukayo Saka
Saka looks to have recovered from a knock he picked up a couple of weeks back.
He is set to deputise at left-back, with others still injured.
CM - Granit Xhaka
Xhaka, we feel, has been the best midfielder in the team under Arteta. He is probably one of the first names on the teamsheet these days.
CM - Lucas Torreira
We were surprised to see Torreira not starting against Burnley in the previous league game.
The Uruguayan is a player in form and should start.
RW - Nicolas Pepe
Pepe didn’t start against Burnley and Arsenal missed his pace and directness in the final third.
Arteta must find a way to start the Ivorian in this game. And we think the manager will do just that.
CAM - Mesut Ozil
Despite his good form, Ozil hasn’t hit the high notes in the past couple of games.
He’ll be aiming to get his game back on track, starting against Newcastle.
LW - Gabriel Martinelli
Martinelli has been in good form in terms of scoring, assisting and working hard for the team.
He struggled on the right-hand side against Burnley. We think Arteta should start him on the left, where he is deadly.
ST - Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang
With Lacazette’s form still a worry, we think the manager will start Aubameyang up front and bench the Frenchman for this game.