Arsenal v Newcastle: Our quality is back, says Wenger
premierleague
Arsenal v Newcastle: Our quality is back, says Wenger
Arsenal can take a major step towards UEFA Champions League qualification when they host Newcastle United on Monday.
A 3-0 defeat by Everton this month left the north London club's hopes of a top-four finish in the Barclays Premier League in big danger, leaving Roberto Martinez's team with their European destiny into their own hands.
However, since then, Arsenal have recorded restorative wins over West Ham United and Hull City, while Everton have dropped points either side of a high-profile triumph. Manchester United were dispatched but a 3-2 home defeat by Crystal Palace and Saturday's 2-0 loss at Southampton could prove costly in the race for fourth.
The upshot is that Arsenal will open up a four-point lead in the final UEFA Champions League spot should they inflict a sixth consecutive Barclays Premier League reverse on an embattled Newcastle side.
Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey returned to make a first start since Boxing Day at Hull and showed glimpses of his superb early-season form, while Thomas Vermaelen could return from a hamstring strain.
For Newcastle, meanwhile, manager Alan Pardew will return to the dugout at the Emirates Stadium following a seven-match ban. Newcastle have won just once since Pardew's clashed with Hull midfielder David Meyler during a 4-1 win in March. Newcastle have suffered six defeats in seven outings since then and Pardew has vowed to return to the touchline a reformed character in the bid to turn that slump around.
"I will sit down a little bit more, but I still will be on the touchline," he said. "It's important that the team sees I'm there - we are a team and I am part of that. I have thought about my situation going forward and I think I will be better for it."
Newcastle must look to bounce back without striker Papiss Cisse, who suffered a broken kneecap to end his season during last weekend's 2-1 home defeat against Swansea City. Fellow forward Luuk de Jong faces a late fitness test due to an ankle problem sustained during the same match, while Moussa Sissoko (hamstring) could return.
Arsenal from: Fabianski, Szczesny, Viviano, Jenkinson, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Monreal, Sagna, Vermaelen, Arteta, Cazorla, Eisfeld, Flamini, Kallstrom, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ozil, Ramsey, Rosicky, Zelalem, Bendtner, Giroud, Podolski, Sanogo.
Newcastle United from: Newcastle United from: Alnwick, Elliot, Krul, Coloccini, Debuchy, Dummett, Haidara, Streete, S Taylor, Williamson, Yanga-Mbiwa, Anita, Ben Arfa, Bigirimana, Gosling, Marveaux, Obertan, Sissoko, Tiote, Sh Ameobi, De Jong, Gouffran, Remy, Armstrong.
Arsenal can take a major step towards UEFA Champions League qualification when they host Newcastle United on Monday.
A 3-0 defeat by Everton this month left the north London club's hopes of a top-four finish in the Barclays Premier League in big danger, leaving Roberto Martinez's team with their European destiny into their own hands.
However, since then, Arsenal have recorded restorative wins over West Ham United and Hull City, while Everton have dropped points either side of a high-profile triumph. Manchester United were dispatched but a 3-2 home defeat by Crystal Palace and Saturday's 2-0 loss at Southampton could prove costly in the race for fourth.
The upshot is that Arsenal will open up a four-point lead in the final UEFA Champions League spot should they inflict a sixth consecutive Barclays Premier League reverse on an embattled Newcastle side.
Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey returned to make a first start since Boxing Day at Hull and showed glimpses of his superb early-season form, while Thomas Vermaelen could return from a hamstring strain.
For Newcastle, meanwhile, manager Alan Pardew will return to the dugout at the Emirates Stadium following a seven-match ban. Newcastle have won just once since Pardew's clashed with Hull midfielder David Meyler during a 4-1 win in March. Newcastle have suffered six defeats in seven outings since then and Pardew has vowed to return to the touchline a reformed character in the bid to turn that slump around.
"I will sit down a little bit more, but I still will be on the touchline," he said. "It's important that the team sees I'm there - we are a team and I am part of that. I have thought about my situation going forward and I think I will be better for it."
Newcastle must look to bounce back without striker Papiss Cisse, who suffered a broken kneecap to end his season during last weekend's 2-1 home defeat against Swansea City. Fellow forward Luuk de Jong faces a late fitness test due to an ankle problem sustained during the same match, while Moussa Sissoko (hamstring) could return.
Arsenal from: Fabianski, Szczesny, Viviano, Jenkinson, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Monreal, Sagna, Vermaelen, Arteta, Cazorla, Eisfeld, Flamini, Kallstrom, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ozil, Ramsey, Rosicky, Zelalem, Bendtner, Giroud, Podolski, Sanogo.
Newcastle United from: Newcastle United from: Alnwick, Elliot, Krul, Coloccini, Debuchy, Dummett, Haidara, Streete, S Taylor, Williamson, Yanga-Mbiwa, Anita, Ben Arfa, Bigirimana, Gosling, Marveaux, Obertan, Sissoko, Tiote, Sh Ameobi, De Jong, Gouffran, Remy, Armstrong.
