Two games in a row against the giants of the North East next week.
Both in the comfort of our own home, thankfully.
The Newcastle game has to take priority - and changes should be minimal. Koscielny and Monreal should come back in, other questions are Chambers or Flamini and Chamberlain or Campbell.
Newcastle is a fixture both Walcott and Giroud like.
Walcott has 6 goals and 5 assists, with 10 wins and 3 draws in his 14 appearances against the Barcodes.
Giroud has an even more impressive record - 7 games, 7 wins and 8 goals against the Magpies.
Petr Cech hasn't a too shabby record against them either. 11 clean sheets in 16 appearances against them.
Newcastle are inconsistent at best. A recent back to back double over Liverpool and Spurs has been followed by a draw against relegation rivals Villa, and two 1-0 defeats to Everton and WBA.
We, of course, beat them 1-0 at St James Park, in a rather lacklustre performance wherein they had Mitrovic sent off early on and a Coloccini own goal was decisive.
In games against our title rivals they lost 6-1 at the Etihad and 3-0 at home to Leicester.
After that we turn our attention to defending the FA Cup. Sunderland at home, could have been worse.
Expect a lot of changes for this one - Ospina, Debuchy, Gabriel, Chambers, Gibbs possibly being the back 5. We could have Alexis back, although it is unlikely he will be risked. As such we could see a start for either Alex Iwobi or Jeff Reine-Adelaide. Another debutant could be Mohamed Elneny if he is actually signed.
We could potentially also have Yaya Sanogo and Serge Gnabry available if their loans are terminated, while other youngsters who may be in contention to be involved in some capacity include Chris Willock, Julio Pleguezuelo, Krystian Bielik, Ismael Bennacer and "wonderkid" Donyell Malen may get a taste of the first team squad after impressing with the under 21s.
Same again v Newcastle?
posted on 30/12/15
I don't think we should be making quite that many changes for the Sunderland game. Although an early exit from the FA cup might help us in the league we shouldn't surrender it without a fight.
I would bring Gibbs and Campbell in for the Newcastle game, with Giroud dropping to the bench and Walcott playing as striker, then bring Giroud back to lead the line against Sunderland.
I'd love to give Ozil a rest too, but I can't see how we could risk it given the form he's in
posted on 30/12/15
Remember we have Liverpool midweek after the Sunderland game.
posted on 30/12/15
comment by D'Jeezus Mackaroni (U1137)
posted 7 minutes ago
Remember we have Liverpool midweek after the Sunderland game.
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Too many changes for the Sunderland game. We need to try at least to retain the cup. If Sanchez is in the squad, then I'd play him 20-30 minutes so that he can feature in the Liverpool game. We will need him for that one.
I think Debuchy is off in January so we will need to bring another RB.
posted on 30/12/15
Sanogo has a future at Arsenal. Needs a run of games however without injuries but it seems like he'll forever be plagued by them.
Would bring back Joel Campbell Monreal. Gabriel did well as did Chambers so leave them two in.
posted on 30/12/15
Sunderland will make more changes than us, they have 3 away games in a row and will prioritise staying in the league over a cup run
posted on 30/12/15
I would play with the same eleven that played against City and Soton apart from bringing in Gabriel for Mertesacker.
We really need to take Newcastle seriously. They're no pushovers and will fight. Allthough we had good results over the last few seasons against then I expect them to give us a fight. Narrow win will do it for me.
posted on 30/12/15
And btw great article, DJ
posted on 30/12/15
Sunderland shouldn't put up too much of a fight in the FA Cup. They are going to the home of the current back-to-back winners and the team who is sat top if the PL table while they themselves languish in 19th, 7 points from safety.
I don't think we should take them lightly, they are still a PL side, but we can definitely bench Ozil, Koscielny, Cech and Giroud and play people like Debuchy, Chambers, Iwobi and possibly Jeff.
posted on 30/12/15
Liverpool will adopt a similar game to saints
Press us all over
posted on 30/12/15
comment by 50 (U1147)
posted 3 hours, 10 minutes ago
Sanogo has a future at Arsenal.
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A future as what? Postman? Waterboy?