Premier League 2018-19: Arsenal’s probable line-up against Newcastle United

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After what felt like a long international break, Premier League action will return this weekend, and will see exciting games as Tottenham Hotspur host Liverpool, Manchester City go against Fulham, and Arsenal take on Newcastle.

Arsenal travels to St. James Park after a 3-2 victory against Cardiff City before the break. Newcastle on the other hand, head to the game following a 2-1 defeat against Manchester City.

The North London team succumbed to a shocking 2-1 defeat in their visit to the Park last season and will be hoping that history doesn’t repeat itself.

While The Gunners will be looking for a third win to get back into contention for the Premier League trophy, The Magpies will hope to redeem themselves by securing their first win of the season.

Lets have a look at the predicted starting XI for Arsenal’s trip up north.

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Goalkeeper

This position may be one of the easiest to predict this weekend. While Petr Cech has not proven himself to be a player comfortable with the ball at his feet, it’s incredibly likely that Emery will persist with the Czech international between the sticks.

The veteran keeper has been given plenty of chances under Emery, and will look to prove himself a reliable and convincing goalie for The Gunners.

The London club’s Europa League games have been scheduled for the midweek, and they could serve as the ultimate opportunity for Emery to deploy his summer signing, Bernd Leno.

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Defenders

Emery’s back four is gradually working its way into becoming a solid unit. Like the goalkeeping position, the defending line-up has become increasingly predictable, especially in the absence of Laurent Koscielny and Kolasinac.

The manager has increasingly become comfortable with the defensive capabilities of the center-back duo of Shkodran Mustafi and Sokratis Papastathopoulos. The pair have played each minute of the season so far, and it looks like Emery is hoping to form a solid defensive dynamic between the two.

When it comes to his full backs, the boss seems content at deploying the Spanish duo of Hector Bellerin and Nacho Monreal. The duo did a decent job providing width in attacking areas against The Hammers, and Emery will look for more of the same in the games to come.

Monreal returned to the campaign after an injury sustained in the summer, and has been settled on the left flank. Hector Bellerin has been the subject of a bit of controversy relating to online homophobic abuse, but is expected to play on the right, as he continues to be one of the potential players to really develop under the guidance of Emery.

Defensive midfield

The Gunners’ summer signing Lucas Torreira has made four substitute appearances in all four Premier League games so far, and is yet to start for the North London side. Emery has favoured fellow newbie Matteo Guendouzi, and Granit Xhaka as the defensive midfield duo instead.

The Uruguayan midfielder has been impressive during his brief moments on the pitch, and it is high time for Emery to give the man a starting chance.

As Emery does not look likely to take away Xhaka’s position in the midfield for want of a more experienced figure in the area, Torreira may likely start in place of wonder-kid Guendouzi.

Attacking midfield

Despite a disappointing start in the drifting role on the right flank so far, Mesut Ozil is likely to start on the wing owing to the fact that Henrikh Mkhitaryan will have returned back from international duty exhausted.

Aaron Ramsey is likely to take Ozil’s sweet spot at the center. The Welsh midfielder too will come back after having played against the Republic of Ireland and Denmark over the break.

Fans finally saw the attacking duo of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette before the international break, and The Gunners were rewarded for it with goals from both players against Cardiff City.

The former Dortmund striker will likely start on the flanks. The Gabonese international has linked up well with Lacazette, and this dynamic has led to the striker scoring his first goal of the season against Cardiff City. Emery will hope for more of such goals from the star upon starting him.

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Centre forward

Given the understanding and dynamic of this attacking duo – Aubameyang and Lacazette, Emery is likely to start Alexandre Lacazette. The forward has impressed fans so far this season and deserves to be in the starting line-up.

The Frenchman had a phenomenal performance against Cardiff City, making great use of the chances given to him, and being efficient with his efforts. Together with Aubameyang, the two can pose a great danger to the Newcastle defense.