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Arsenal Lineup Versus Newcastle

Arsenal have made the long trek up to Tyneside for this evening's Barclay's Premier League match, and the Gunners have a great chance to move three points clear of Aston Villa, who visit Anfield tomorrow. The importance of this fixture cannot be stressed enough. I do not believe Villa will get all three points off of Liverpool tomorrow, so this is our chance to move into fourth place for good. Newcastle is now in the relegation zone after today's results, so they will also be looking to do whatever is necessary to grab all three points. With three of the top six teams already losing this afternoon, Arsenal fans will be praying another upset is not on the cards.

Starting Lineup: Almunia, Sagna, Gallas, Toure, Clichy, Nasri, Denilson, Diaby, Arshavin, van Persie, Bendtner

Subs: Fabianski, Eboue, Gibbs, Djourou, Eduardo, Vela, Song

Newcastle Starting Lineup: Harper, Taylor, Coloccini, Bassong, Jose Enrique, Taylor, Butt, Nolan(Thug), Duff, Lovenkrands, Martins

Newcastle Bench: Krul, Owen, Alan Smith, Geremi, Beye, Gutierrez, Ameobi

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Writer: Brice Coffer

Date:Saturday March 21 2009

Time: 5:16PM

Your Comments

I'd bet a lot that Nicky scores today

TPowell

I'd bet a lot that Nicky scores today

TPowell

Crap pen but I'm glad we haven't conceded/ :P

GoonerLou

Crap pen but I'm glad we haven't conceded/ :P

GoonerLou

good redemption save by Almunia

gunnerkid107

good redemption save by Almunia

gunnerkid107

I thought that was in by Arshavin! The pk has seemed to kick us into an attacking gear

gunnerkid107

I thought that was in by Arshavin! The pk has seemed to kick us into an attacking gear

gunnerkid107

the ref is killing us it seems, we'll get a foothold eventually... Also, doesn't it seem like defenders have been getting in front our shots a lot lately. Wow, I guess we're gonna just get rough treatment every game now.

TPowell

what?!!! No setanta. Don't tell me we're being crap again! Didn't we learn a lesson from Monday? What's happening???

julieloveshenry4ever

what?!!! No setanta. Don't tell me we're being crap again! Didn't we learn a lesson from Monday? What's happening???

julieloveshenry4ever

Nah, Newcastle is playing hard. Diaby is absolutely slowing us down. He hasn't played one good ball yet. He is good about 30% of the time he plays.

TPowell

Nah, Newcastle is playing hard. Diaby is absolutely slowing us down. He hasn't played one good ball yet. He is good about 30% of the time he plays.

TPowell

A very exciting goalless half!

GoonerLou

A very exciting goalless half!

GoonerLou

how does diaby always get to play? he has always been rubbish all season. i rather see Song make mistakes than see diaby continue to waste possesion. how does he get to play for a top 4 team in PL?i really wonder.

fcdematthew

I agree Diaby's been a passenger, I'd have preferred Song to be playing even tho that looks a more defensive option on paper. Great game tho, hope we can somehow edge it in the second half.

jubair

Level at half time is fair although it should be 3-3! we not playing overly well but creating which is positive the negative is Abou Diaby.....loose posession, pulling out of tackles, simply not good enough.

iceman10

I thought a one stage it was fight of the week, that elbow on AA was surely a red card.

alwaysgunner

I agree Diaby's been a passenger, I'd have preferred Song to be playing even tho that looks a more defensive option on paper. Great game tho, hope we can somehow edge it in the second half.

jubair

iceman10

I thought a one stage it was fight of the week, that elbow on AA was surely a red card.

alwaysgunner

They seem to be taking us on the wings and running past us

alwaysgunner

Yeah Taylor's a thug, should have been sent off. He's made some vital blocks for them as well.

jubair

They seem to be taking us on the wings and running past us

alwaysgunner

Yeah Taylor's a thug, should have been sent off. He's made some vital blocks for them as well.

jubair

Some incredible diving by Newcastle aswell and a disgraceful forearm in Arshavins face by taylor.

iceman10

Some incredible diving by Newcastle aswell and a disgraceful forearm in Arshavins face by taylor.

iceman10

the problem is that he's playing Cesc's position and we're playing our typical style so he's slowing us down. it's not his fault he's not as good as Cesc.

TPowell

the problem is that he's playing Cesc's position and we're playing our typical style so he's slowing us down. it's not his fault he's not as good as Cesc.

TPowell

Great game this is. Three great saves have kept us out, one by Harper and the others by Taylor. But really we should of scored. For a second I thought Andrey's 25 yard hammer was in, but it just bounced off the top of the crossbar.

gunnerkid107

I'd rather Denilson played the Cesc's position and Song played the holding role.

jubair

Agree about Diaby- he's not having one of his better games. I'd pull him at the half, put Eboue on the right, move Nasri to the left and bring Arshavin inside. I think I'd only give RvP another 10-15 minutes too, he's been fairly ineffective despite some of the great service he's been getting from Bendtner- put on Eduardo.

elbondo

Dont get me wrong I like Diaby and any footballer can have a b@*stard but his lack of effort and fight in that half was unacceptable.

iceman10

I'd rather Denilson played the Cesc's position and Song played the holding role.

jubair

elbondo

Dont get me wrong I like Diaby and any footballer can have a b@*stard but his lack of effort and fight in that half was unacceptable.

iceman10

Is Eduardo on the bench? I thought he was still injured.

jubair

Is Eduardo on the bench? I thought he was still injured.

jubair

"I'd rather Denilson played the Cesc's position and Song played the holding role." Denilson always plays the DM role with Song trying to go forward, but I agree with the change.

Tom14

"I'd rather Denilson played the Cesc's position and Song played the holding role." Denilson always plays the DM role with Song trying to go forward, but I agree with the change.

Tom14

God damn. For *****s sake

gunnerkid107

Awful defending from Gallas!!1

jubair

God damn. For *****s sake

gunnerkid107

Awful defending from Gallas!!1

jubair

diaby has offered absolutely NOTHING at all, defensively and offensively.

fcdematthew

I love Diaby!!!

jubair

Don't anyone dare criticise him lol

jubair

And of course Diaby shows why we keep him around!!!

TPowell

diaby has offered absolutely NOTHING at all, defensively and offensively.

fcdematthew

I love Diaby!!!

jubair

Don't anyone dare criticise him lol

jubair

And of course Diaby shows why we keep him around!!!

TPowell

Diabbyyy! He did very well there. Great one two with van persie!

gunnerkid107

Diabbyyy! He did very well there. Great one two with van persie!

gunnerkid107

Great shot NASRI!!!

TPowell

Samirrr! Another great one two with van persie

gunnerkid107

Great shot NASRI!!!

TPowell

Samirrr! Another great one two with van persie

gunnerkid107

the flood gates are opening up...

TPowell

the flood gates are opening up...

TPowell

Two good touches in 20 games, suddenly he is your hero.

fcdematthew

Two good touches in 20 games, suddenly he is your hero.

fcdematthew

Sometimes van persie's finishing is quite there but his ability to set people up is why he's in the team every week

gunnerkid107

away fans already with the OLEs. the toon army will not be to happy!!!

TPowell

Sometimes van persie's finishing is quite there but his ability to set people up is why he's in the team every week

gunnerkid107

away fans already with the OLEs. the toon army will not be to happy!!!

TPowell

Funny game for Diaby eh! I was thinking "oh cool, we're getting some of our fluency back" when RvP set him up, you just knew he'd score, good finish too! Then I thought "we're gonna score some more now!" Is it just me or have we been playing like we usually up the game in the 2nd half? Fantastic goal by Nasri too!

GoonerLou

*too happy. Arshavin struggled with the physicality this game, but I thought he played well over all.

TPowell

*too happy. Arshavin struggled with the physicality this game, but I thought he played well over all.

TPowell

my (amateur) analysis of it Lou is that teams have to pressure our midfielders if they want to stop us, and eventually they get tired while we still have energy. If you notice, the Newcastle midfielders all have heavy legs now.

TPowell

What a Great turn around form The Arsenal, I hope RvP scores as well as he deserves a goal!! Well Done to Fulham on their win against Manure!

hackneyval

What a Great turn around form The Arsenal, I hope RvP scores as well as he deserves a goal!! Well Done to Fulham on their win against Manure!

hackneyval

Great performance today from the boys. Fair play to Newcastle though for making it an exciting match

gunnerkid107

Great performance today from the boys. Fair play to Newcastle though for making it an exciting match

gunnerkid107

What a top game well done lad a top top game.

alwaysgunner

How frustrating is Diaby? he is the ONLY player in our squad who could have scored that goal (also the goal away to Villa) yet he has this sloppy/careless side to his game that makes him a bit of a liability at times. 3 points, 3 goals, Denilson was outstanding, and our forward play was at times sublime, good days work.

iceman10

I love this kind of flow: nervy, even, exciting 1st half, nail-biting stuff, then towards the end it almost became an easy keep-ball exercise after a few goals. Yes TP I think the difference between the 2 sides' energy/fitness/age is a factor. Also Gkid, I agree that RvP shows his value when his finishing didn't get him goals (it's not too bad today, Harper and their defence blocked well on a few occasions), he still set up 2 goals today. Well done everyone!!

GoonerLou

What a top game well done lad a top top game.

alwaysgunner

iceman10

TPowell exactly. Clichy's running right though their midfield only emphasises your analysis

gunner24

TPowell exactly. Clichy's running right though their midfield only emphasises your analysis

gunner24

I can't wait to see Cesc playing with this new fantastic Denilson.

gunnerkid107

I can't wait to see Cesc playing with this new fantastic Denilson.

gunnerkid107

Now lets hope L'pool can beat Villa, and we can go 3pts clear of them.

hackneyval

Now lets hope L'pool can beat Villa, and we can go 3pts clear of them.

hackneyval

indeed GK... I think we've all (myself included) forgotten just how good Cesc is.

TPowell

indeed GK... I think we've all (myself included) forgotten just how good Cesc is.

TPowell

it feels good to be a gooner!if only we could do this everday dat would be da bomb and wenegr sid walcott should be back in about a week plus we get fab after the international break and edu is back fit not to mention tommy playing for the reserves soon!heres to pool beatin villa just so we can shake them off and go for that 3rd spot the chavs are there for the taking lol

the arsenal

The same sang-froid that enables Diaby to score a goal like that is what sometimes explains the lazy, sloppy and careless midfield performance he gave in the first half. We got away with it in the first half but it won't always go our way if we play like that in the future.

Amos.

Song was almost flawless after he came on. Bendtner gave them a lot of problems, altough his finishing could have been better at times. at least his positioning allowed him to have chances to score.

fcdematthew

Song was almost flawless after he came on. Bendtner gave them a lot of problems, altough his finishing could have been better at times. at least his positioning allowed him to have chances to score.

fcdematthew

fcdmatthew, its actually remarkable how often Bendtner gets into good positions. Sure his finishing is often poor, but can't he learn that still? he's only 21 after all.

TPowell

fcdmatthew, its actually remarkable how often Bendtner gets into good positions. Sure his finishing is often poor, but can't he learn that still? he's only 21 after all.

TPowell

what other team has a 21 year old 4th choice striker with 12 goals? The amount of stick he gets is a a joke, he has his flaws but age and experience will iron these out.

iceman10

what other team has a 21 year old 4th choice striker with 12 goals? The amount of stick he gets is a a joke, he has his flaws but age and experience will iron these out.

iceman10

I just want to say that I sit here every match with a bunch of Welsh Gooners and we all love Diaby! Song is growing on us, and we actually, as frustrating as he may be sometimes, love Eboue. His goals in the last few games have actually turned a happy atmosphere into a carnaval. Totally agree with you about super Nik too iceman. Seems like every game brings us a new hero at the mo, and long may it continue!!! 8-)

flv

Amos - don't take this as a dig, but I remember when the will he/won't he sign Arshavin saga was happening you were questioning his potential value for us this season. Well, I think we can all happily see that he has made an enormous difference, something I'm sure you're happy about like us all. All I can say is, well done Arsene and the board for bringing him because he really has given the team and the likes of van Persie, Nasri and Clichy a new lease of life. The guy is class and I cannot wait to see him and Cesc in the same side. We are so much a confidence side and its coming back big style to us at the right stage of the season. You could just feel even when they equalised that the team believed they would go on and win. I don't blame Gallas at all for the goal, he was trying to do the right thing and get the ball away and a lucky richotet and good finish resulted. Also, absolutely brilliant header by Bendtner.

Gooner_Vin

great Saturday

fcdematthew

great Saturday

fcdematthew

can't wait to see Fabregas back after the international break.

fcdematthew

can't wait to see Fabregas back after the international break.

fcdematthew

Am sorry but inspite of his goal,Diaby was awful in the 1st half and scarcely better in the 2nd. With Cesc back,he will be consigned to the bench where he rightly belongs. He could come from the bench and do a job for us,but in my humble opinion he is not yet good enough (if ever) to start for Arsenal but he scored a good goal today so well done to him.

D'arsassin

Diaby is very much an enigma and whether he'll change we don't know. He comes across as a bit of a luxury player whose moments of brilliance are interspersed with losing the ball carelessly or holding onto it too long. But Denilson and Song are proving us wrong with their consistency now so why shouldn't Diaby.

Gooner_Vin

Everyone would have seen Steven Taylor's blatant forearm into Arshavin's face which the refereee Mark Halsey didn't even give a booking for I believe. Remember, this is the same Mark Halsey who sent off Sol Campbell for a similar challenge against Ole Gunner Sjkolsjkear against Man Utd a few seasons back at Highbury. The refereeing in this country is sometimes pathetic.

Gooner_Vin

Diaby has a lot of potential, but he is frustrating to deal with, as a fan. Very inconsistent, and iceman has his assessment about Diaby, spot on. You think he is crap, but then he puts in 2-3 really good games, then has a few stinkers again. This game encapsulates Diaby's season so far.

prits

Good game. Though to concede a goal straight after scoring is down to a lack of concentration similar to the match against liverpool last year in the CL. That was very poor. I don't blame Gallas but the whole team relaxed from the kick-off as if to take a breather. We should learn from this, definitely. At the top level you have to concentrate.

Gael-Force

Wenger is right. At 20, 21 you improve all the time. We have had these kids together for a while, it's great to see them slowly coming on. Denilson and Song 6 months ago are very different to the ones we see now.

Gael-Force

Arshavin has got a taste of PL physicality. That elbow in the face was clearly intentional. I am surprised by the media. If an Arsenal player had done it, it would be splattered all over the news to force the FA to act. A few months ago, Ade got sent off for positioning his feet to protect the ball. ow is this not worse.

Gael-Force

The best bit about the second goal was watching Steven Taylor on the sidelines in his 'crapping himself' position, unable to do anything about it.

Gael-Force

The best bit about the second goal was watching Steven Taylor on the sidelines in his 'crapping himself' position, unable to do anything about it.

Gael-Force

On a roll here: Arshavin? What about Wenger's early season assertion that signing an experienced player was like killing one of his young ones. Sorry Prof, you were wrong on this one: Arshavin has breathed new life into the kids. No kid likes losing and they'd rather have the big guys in their team to help them out rather than in opposition. Now surely, the next thing to do every summer is to sign one player of Arshavin's quality and experience to complement our supply line.

Gael-Force

Didn't even know that GVin, Halsey sent off Campbell for a lesser challenge! FA should go back and ban Taylor.
On Diaby, we all know that when Cesc is back Diaby wont start as many games. But its good to know that when we need him, he can come in and give a performance, even though his form is up and down. He offers us something that Cesc doesn't, shown by his goal. I love the way he finishes, no messing about.

ian7

Arshavin was brilliant today. He has added some much needed calm and experience to the squad and our attack. His vision is excellent, almost on a par with Cesc. Like many others I can't wait to see them playing together. The forearm smash by Taylor was disgraceful, and not even mentionned on Match Of The Day. As the referee didn't see it surely it means the matter can be examined by the FA video panel? We always seem to fall foul of this and the cameras picked up the incident as clear as day. Taylor clearly looks around and sees Arshavin on his shoulder and blatently smashes him in the face. Stone cold red card if ever I saw one. The FA have to act or it will be accused of inconsistency. Mind you, what can we expect when opponents are free to blatently dive in the penalty area against us and escape sanction?

Wyn Mills

Wyn, the FA will prefer to first act about Cesc's alleged spitting incident that never happened. Then they will go on to discuss why the captain walked onto his pitch to congratulate his squad. And Finally they will investigate why he wasn't wearing a tuxedo. The media treatment or rather lack of of Pedersen's dive and Taylor's elbow/forearm is disgraceful. How many times was Pires's dive against portsmouth played? or for that matter any incident that could lead to one of our players being banned?

Gael-Force

Just saw replays of MU's match against fulham. What was Scholes thinking? Blatant cheating, that was hilarious. Rooney deserved to be sent off. Refs are far too lenient with his and Ferdinands tantrums. Expect Sir Alex now to install the famous all-against-us siege mentality...

Gael-Force

My point at the time the Arshavin saga was dragging on wasn't that Arshavin wouldn't be of any value to us - if Wenger thinks he's worth shelling out for then I'm happy to accept his judgement - my point was that whether we signed him or not whatever we achieved this season was still going to depend substantially on the form and fitness of those players we already have. Arshavin has performed as well as I hoped he would. He has brought some much needed vision and creativity to the team. The balance in the wide areas with him and Nasri together is much better than we have had all season. It should get even better as Arshavin becomes more familiar with the others. He has been a positive factor in recent performances and so has the performance of others but undoubtedly a really good signing that has helped restore some of the creative balance to the team.

Amos.

GF, no doubt the FA will be feeling sorry for Newcastle and their present predicament to do anything at the moment. As you say if that had been one of ours we'd be hearing no end of criticism and calls for banning in the media this morning. Pathetic.

Wyn Mills

the referee sent out the message that it was okay to elbow a player, to wrestle a player to ground. this will encourage others to do it in the coming matches.

fcdematthew

the referee sent out the message that it was okay to elbow a player, to wrestle a player to ground. this will encourage others to do it in the coming matches.

fcdematthew

I would quite happily see Diaby sold. His goal was great, but the guy is terrible at times. flv, I don't know what games you watch, but he is pretty much as average as they come when he is not on top form. Denilson was perfect, Song looked good, Bendtner has proven his worth yet again and van Persie even looked decent in the hole. I don't like the way Arshavins seemed to be ignored, van Persie and the others almost choose not to pass to him, against Hull it was 20 minutes before his first touch. What is that about?!

Tom14

dilly dally diaby

fran merida

dilly dally diaby

fran merida

Hi Tom. We don't always agree with Arsene here, but as far as Diaby is concerned we're with him 100%. Yep, he has lots to work on, but he is certainly growing. Let's just say we're pretty excited about what we're seeing from him. Totally understand your point of view though, it's a all a bit selective depending on what apects of a players game does it for you.

flv

Having a football brain and a good touch is what does it for me. He has his qualities, but I think all un-biased Arsenal fans know that he will not be first choice at the club at any point.

Tom14

Having a football brain and a good touch is what does it for me. He has his qualities, but I think all un-biased Arsenal fans know that he will not be first choice at the club at any point.

Tom14

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