Start Ramsey! How Arsenal Should Line Up vs. Newcastle

Arsenal travel to a struggling Newcastle side on Saturday afternoon, as they look to continue their impressive Premier League form.

The Gunners have 13 wins in their last 15 games, and picking up three points at St James’ Park could mean they leapfrog fellow title challengers, Manchester City.

But games have come thick and fast recently for Wenger’s men, who spoke about fatigue being an important factor during his pre-match press conference.

Embed from Getty Images

With Arsenal falling out of the Champions League in mid-week, it’s going to take a strong team to recover from the disappointment of Tuesday night, and now focus on finishing as high as possible in the league.

Goalkeeper: David Ospina will continue his impressive form in-goal, and has been a focal point recently to Arsenal’s great form. The Colombian will face very little threat from a Newcastle side who are without top goalscorer, Papiss Cisse.

Right-Back: Hotly contested in recent weeks between Chambers and Bellerin, but its Bellerin who should get the nod this weekend. He looks to be in better control of the overall position, and his mental state to get the right amount of attack and defence is just that little bit better than Chambers.

Centre Backs: I would like to see Gabriel come back into the picture this weekend, but just to offer us something different. Newcastle will be a side who want to counter attack, and can do that with the pace of Sissoko and Perez. Gabriel allows us to play that high line, and essentially control the game that will feature an intimidating home crowd. Laurent Koscielny will partner Gabriel at the back.

Left Back: Nacho Monreal has been in fine form recently for the Gunners, and with the competition of Kieran Gibbs, the Spaniard is only getting better each week. Contained and in control from the off, Monreal can control the left hand side allowing Cazorla and Welbeck to roam.

Centre Defensive Midfield: At the start of the season this was our hardest position to cover, but four months down the line, we have a duo who have established themselves in front of the back line. Francis Coquelin and Aaron Ramsey will set up camp here. Rambo has two goal in as many games, and didn’t start against Monaco, so he’ll be raring to get out there come Saturday afternoon.

Embed from Getty Images

Right Wing: According to reports, Newcastle currently have just 13 fit outfield players fit, and with captain, Coloccini missing through suspension, manager John Carver may be forced to utilise a defence of three at the back. That is perfect news for Theo Walcott, who needs to attack this vulnerable back line.

Centre Attacking Midfield: Santi Cazorla doesn’t really need many reasons for why he deserves to play this position. The Spaniard was a maestro in mid-week, and he’ll love to capitalise on this weak Newcastle defence.

Left Wing: I think this weekend provides a chance to rest the big boys, like Alexis and Ozil. I think Danny Welbeck should start this weekend, simply because he’s looked driven against Monaco and Manchester United. Alexis achieved his lowest Fresh Arsenal player rating of the season against Monaco, and as much as it will pain him, I think Wenger knows when a player needs a break.

Striker: Olivier Giroud’s goal on Tuesday night means the striker now scores once every 1.46 games, a stat that can’t be argued with when choosing the starting eleven. Newcastle are caving at the back, and the sight of Giroud won’t be welcome at St. James’ Park.

Starting XI:

D. Ospina

 Bellerin         Paulista         Koscielny         Monreal

Coquelin         Ramsey

 Walcott         Cazorla (c)        Welbeck

 Giroud