LIVE MATCH CENTRE
29 December, 2012
| Arsenal |
FT
73
|
Newcastle United |
Theo Walcott 20'
1 - 0
1 - 1
Demba Ba 43'
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain 50'
2 - 1
2 - 2
Sylvain Marveaux 59'
Lukas Podolski 64'
3 - 2
3 - 3
Demba Ba 69'
Theo Walcott 73'
4 - 3
Olivier Giroud 84'
5 - 3
Olivier Giroud 87'
6 - 3
Theo Walcott 90'
7 - 3
HT:
1 - 1
Emirates Stadium (Attendance: 60,087)
Arsenal
Wojciech Szczesny
1
Bacary Sagna
3
Laurent Koscielny
6
Thomas Vermaelen
5
Kieran Gibbs
28
Mikel Arteta
8
Santi Cazorla
19
Jack Wilshere
10
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
15
Theo Walcott
14
Lukas Podolski
9
Substitutes
Francis Coquelin
22
Aaron Ramsey
16
Olivier Giroud
12
Tomas Rosicky
7
Johan Djourou
20
Vito Mannone
24
Gervinho
27
Newcastle United
1
Tim Krul
5
Danny Simpson
14
James Perch
2
Fabricio Coloccini
3
Davide Santon
20
Gael Bigirimana
24
Cheik Tiote
9
Papiss Cisse
22
Sylvain Marveaux
25
Gabriel Obertan
19
Demba Ba
Substitutes
31
Shane Ferguson
34
James Tavernier
23
Shola Ameobi
37
Steve Harper
39
Mehdi Abeid
28
Sammy Ameobi
44
Remie Streete
Referee: Chris Foy
90'
Game Over
Arsenal 7-3 Newcastle United
90'
Shot
Olivier Giroud (Arsenal)
90'
Cross
Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal)
90'
Cross
Jack Wilshere (Arsenal)
90'
Throw-In
Bacary Sagna (Arsenal)
90'
Cross
Davide Santon (Newcastle United)
90'
Throw-In
Davide Santon (Newcastle United)
90'
Goal
Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Assist by Jack Wilshere
90'
Shot on Target
Theo Walcott (Arsenal)
90'
Yellow Card
Yellow Card - Davide Santon (Newcastle United)
90'
Foul
Olivier Giroud fouled by Davide Santon (Newcastle United)
90'
Cross
Jack Wilshere (Arsenal)
90'
Cross
James Tavernier (Newcastle United)
89'
Cross
Cheik Tiote (Newcastle United)
89'
Foul
Theo Walcott (Arsenal)
89'
Cross
Jack Wilshere (Arsenal)
88'
Substitution
James Tavernier on for Sylvain Marveaux (Newcastle United)
87'
Goal
Olivier Giroud (Arsenal), Assist by Theo Walcott
87'
Shot on Target
Olivier Giroud (Arsenal)
86'
Foul
Jack Wilshere fouled by Demba Ba (Newcastle United)
86'
Substitution
Francis Coquelin on for Santi Cazorla (Arsenal)
84'
Goal
Olivier Giroud (Arsenal), Assist by Theo Walcott
84'
Shot on Target
Olivier Giroud (Arsenal)
84'
Cross
Theo Walcott (Arsenal)
84'
Cross
Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal)
84'
Corner Kick
Jack Wilshere (Arsenal)
83'
Shot
Theo Walcott (Arsenal)
83'
Goal Kick
Wojciech Szczesny (Arsenal)
82'
Substitution
Aaron Ramsey on for Lukas Podolski (Arsenal)
82'
Substitution
Shane Ferguson on for Danny Simpson (Newcastle United)
82'
Substitution
Shola Ameobi on for Gael Bigirimana (Newcastle United)
81'
Cross
Gael Bigirimana (Newcastle United)
81'
Cross
Gabriel Obertan (Newcastle United)
81'
Throw-In
Davide Santon (Newcastle United)
80'
Cross
Theo Walcott (Arsenal)
80'
Cross
Santi Cazorla (Arsenal)
80'
Foul
Papiss Cisse (Newcastle United)
80'
Cross
Cheik Tiote (Newcastle United)
79'
Cross
Jack Wilshere (Arsenal)
79'
Free Kick
Jack Wilshere (Arsenal)
78'
Foul
Mikel Arteta fouled by Gael Bigirimana (Newcastle United)
78'
Throw-In
Davide Santon (Newcastle United)
77'
Foul
Laurent Koscielny fouled by Demba Ba (Newcastle United)
77'
Cross
Danny Simpson (Newcastle United)
76'
Cross
Davide Santon (Newcastle United)
76'
Corner Kick
Sylvain Marveaux (Newcastle United)
75'
Cross
Kieran Gibbs (Arsenal)
75'
Cross
Jack Wilshere (Arsenal)
75'
Shot on Target
Gael Bigirimana (Newcastle United)
75'
Cross
Danny Simpson (Newcastle United)
75'
Throw-In
Davide Santon (Newcastle United)
74'
Substitution
Olivier Giroud on for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal)
73'
Goal
Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Assist by Kieran Gibbs
73'
Shot on Target
Theo Walcott (Arsenal)
70'
Foul
Demba Ba fouled by Mikel Arteta (Arsenal)
70'
Throw-In
Danny Simpson (Newcastle United)
70'
Cross
Jack Wilshere (Arsenal)
69'
Goal
Demba Ba (Newcastle United), Assist by Sylvain Marveaux
69'
Shot on Target
Demba Ba (Newcastle United)
69'
Cross
Sylvain Marveaux (Newcastle United)
68'
Cross
Santi Cazorla (Arsenal)
68'
Cross
Davide Santon (Newcastle United)
67'
Throw-In
Danny Simpson (Newcastle United)
67'
Cross
Danny Simpson (Newcastle United)
67'
Cross
Sylvain Marveaux (Newcastle United)
67'
Goal Kick
Tim Krul (Newcastle United)
66'
Shot
Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal)
66'
Corner Kick
Jack Wilshere (Arsenal)
66'
Cross
Theo Walcott (Arsenal)
66'
Cross
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal)
65'
Throw-In
Bacary Sagna (Arsenal)
65'
Throw-In
Davide Santon (Newcastle United)
64'
Goal
Lukas Podolski (Arsenal)
64'
Shot on Target
Lukas Podolski (Arsenal)
64'
Cross
Jack Wilshere (Arsenal)
63'
Cross
Santi Cazorla (Arsenal)
63'
Cross
Jack Wilshere (Arsenal)
62'
Corner Kick
Theo Walcott (Arsenal)
61'
Shot on Target
Santi Cazorla (Arsenal)
61'
Cross
Gabriel Obertan (Newcastle United)
61'
Shot
Santi Cazorla (Arsenal)
61'
Foul
Mikel Arteta fouled by Cheik Tiote (Newcastle United)
60'
Throw-In
Bacary Sagna (Arsenal)
59'
Goal
Sylvain Marveaux (Newcastle United), Assist by Gabriel Obertan
59'
Shot on Target
Sylvain Marveaux (Newcastle United)
59'
Cross
Gabriel Obertan (Newcastle United)
59'
Cross
Theo Walcott (Arsenal)
58'
Goal Kick
Tim Krul (Newcastle United)
57'
Shot
Theo Walcott (Arsenal)
57'
Cross
Danny Simpson (Newcastle United)
57'
Cross
Davide Santon (Newcastle United)
56'
Throw-In
Kieran Gibbs (Arsenal)
55'
Cross
Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal)
55'
Foul
Lukas Podolski fouled by Danny Simpson (Newcastle United)
55'
Throw-In
Kieran Gibbs (Arsenal)
54'
Throw-In
Kieran Gibbs (Arsenal)
54'
Throw-In
Danny Simpson (Newcastle United)
54'
Cross
Kieran Gibbs (Arsenal)
54'
Throw-In
Lukas Podolski (Arsenal)
53'
Throw-In
Bacary Sagna (Arsenal)
52'
Throw-In
Danny Simpson (Newcastle United)
52'
Foul
Mikel Arteta fouled by Demba Ba (Newcastle United)
50'
Goal
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal), Assist by Santi Cazorla
50'
Shot on Target
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal)
50'
Throw-In
Danny Simpson (Newcastle United)
50'
Cross
Jack Wilshere (Arsenal)
50'
Goal Kick
Tim Krul (Newcastle United)
49'
Cross
Mikel Arteta (Arsenal)
49'
Cross
Gael Bigirimana (Newcastle United)
49'
Cross
Danny Simpson (Newcastle United)
48'
Cross
Bacary Sagna (Arsenal)
48'
Throw-In
Bacary Sagna (Arsenal)
47'
Shot on Target
Kieran Gibbs (Arsenal)
47'
Cross
Lukas Podolski (Arsenal)
47'
Cross
Bacary Sagna (Arsenal)
46'
Cross
Sylvain Marveaux (Newcastle United)
46'
Cross
Santi Cazorla (Arsenal)
46'
Throw-In
Santi Cazorla (Arsenal)
46'
Start Half
45'
Half Over
Arsenal 1-1 Newcastle United
45'
Shot
Demba Ba (Newcastle United)
45'
Corner Kick
Sylvain Marveaux (Newcastle United)
45'
Corner Kick
Sylvain Marveaux (Newcastle United)
45'
Shot on Target
Sylvain Marveaux (Newcastle United)
45'
Foul
Demba Ba fouled by Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal)
43'
Goal
Demba Ba (Newcastle United)
43'
Shot on Target
Demba Ba (Newcastle United)
43'
Free Kick
Demba Ba (Newcastle United)
43'
Foul
Gabriel Obertan fouled by Bacary Sagna (Arsenal)
42'
Cross
Demba Ba (Newcastle United)
41'
Throw-In
Danny Simpson (Newcastle United)
41'
Throw-In
Bacary Sagna (Arsenal)
40'
Cross
Theo Walcott (Arsenal)
40'
Corner Kick
Sylvain Marveaux (Newcastle United)
40'
Shot on Target
Cheik Tiote (Newcastle United)
39'
Cross
Danny Simpson (Newcastle United)
39'
Cross
Gael Bigirimana (Newcastle United)
38'
Cross
Gael Bigirimana (Newcastle United)
37'
Shot on Target
Theo Walcott (Arsenal)
37'
Cross
Lukas Podolski (Arsenal)
37'
Goal Kick
Wojciech Szczesny (Arsenal)
35'
Throw-In
Davide Santon (Newcastle United)
35'
Cross
Gabriel Obertan (Newcastle United)
35'
Throw-In
Davide Santon (Newcastle United)
35'
Goal Kick
Wojciech Szczesny (Arsenal)
34'
Cross
Cheik Tiote (Newcastle United)
34'
Cross
Cheik Tiote (Newcastle United)
34'
Throw-In
Davide Santon (Newcastle United)
33'
Goal Kick
Wojciech Szczesny (Arsenal)
33'
Cross
Demba Ba (Newcastle United)
33'
Cross
Fabricio Coloccini (Newcastle United)
32'
Cross
Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal)
32'
Throw-In
Kieran Gibbs (Arsenal)
31'
Cross
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal)
30'
Offside
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal)
29'
Corner Kick
Sylvain Marveaux (Newcastle United)
29'
Cross
Danny Simpson (Newcastle United)
29'
Cross
Davide Santon (Newcastle United)
28'
Throw-In
Gael Bigirimana (Newcastle United)
28'
Cross
Papiss Cisse (Newcastle United)
28'
Cross
Cheik Tiote (Newcastle United)
28'
Corner Kick
Jack Wilshere (Arsenal)
27'
Corner Kick
Theo Walcott (Arsenal)
27'
Cross
Kieran Gibbs (Arsenal)
26'
Cross
Fabricio Coloccini (Newcastle United)
26'
Foul
Demba Ba fouled by Mikel Arteta (Arsenal)
26'
Cross
Sylvain Marveaux (Newcastle United)
25'
Throw-In
Kieran Gibbs (Arsenal)
25'
Cross
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal)
24'
Throw-In
Bacary Sagna (Arsenal)
23'
Cross
Lukas Podolski (Arsenal)
23'
Cross
Gael Bigirimana (Newcastle United)
23'
Cross
Danny Simpson (Newcastle United)
22'
Foul
Demba Ba fouled by Mikel Arteta (Arsenal)
22'
Offside
Theo Walcott (Arsenal)
22'
Cross
Lukas Podolski (Arsenal)
21'
Shot on Target
Demba Ba (Newcastle United)
21'
Cross
Gabriel Obertan (Newcastle United)
21'
Cross
Davide Santon (Newcastle United)
20'
Goal
Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Assist by Lukas Podolski
20'
Shot on Target
Theo Walcott (Arsenal)
20'
Cross
Lukas Podolski (Arsenal)
20'
Cross
Sylvain Marveaux (Newcastle United)
19'
Cross
Gabriel Obertan (Newcastle United)
19'
Foul
Papiss Cisse fouled by Mikel Arteta (Arsenal)
18'
Cross
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal)
18'
Offside
Demba Ba (Newcastle United)
18'
Cross
Sylvain Marveaux (Newcastle United)
18'
Shot
Demba Ba (Newcastle United)
17'
Goal Kick
Wojciech Szczesny (Arsenal)
17'
Shot
Demba Ba (Newcastle United)
17'
Corner Kick
Sylvain Marveaux (Newcastle United)
16'
Cross
Danny Simpson (Newcastle United)
16'
Cross
Santi Cazorla (Arsenal)
15'
Throw-In
Bacary Sagna (Arsenal)
15'
Cross
Papiss Cisse (Newcastle United)
15'
Cross
Bacary Sagna (Arsenal)
15'
Cross
Sylvain Marveaux (Newcastle United)
15'
Free Kick
Sylvain Marveaux (Newcastle United)
14'
Foul
Danny Simpson fouled by Lukas Podolski (Arsenal)
14'
Throw-In
Kieran Gibbs (Arsenal)
13'
Cross
Lukas Podolski (Arsenal)
13'
Throw-In
Davide Santon (Newcastle United)
12'
Throw-In
Kieran Gibbs (Arsenal)
12'
Cross
Santi Cazorla (Arsenal)
11'
Foul
Demba Ba fouled by Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal)
10'
Offside
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal)
9'
Cross
Santi Cazorla (Arsenal)
8'
Foul
Lukas Podolski fouled by James Perch (Newcastle United)
8'
Cross
Gael Bigirimana (Newcastle United)
7'
Throw-In
Kieran Gibbs (Arsenal)
7'
Throw-In
Danny Simpson (Newcastle United)
6'
Throw-In
Bacary Sagna (Arsenal)
5'
Throw-In
Bacary Sagna (Arsenal)
4'
Cross
Santi Cazorla (Arsenal)
4'
Cross
Bacary Sagna (Arsenal)
4'
Cross
Santi Cazorla (Arsenal)
4'
Foul
Jack Wilshere fouled by Cheik Tiote (Newcastle United)
3'
Foul
Theo Walcott fouled by Cheik Tiote (Newcastle United)
3'
Cross
Danny Simpson (Newcastle United)
3'
Throw-In
Danny Simpson (Newcastle United)
3'
Cross
Danny Simpson (Newcastle United)
2'
Throw-In
Davide Santon (Newcastle United)
2'
Goal Kick
Tim Krul (Newcastle United)
1'
Shot
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal)
1'
Shot
Gael Bigirimana (Newcastle United)
1'
Cross
Danny Simpson (Newcastle United)
1'
Throw-In
Danny Simpson (Newcastle United)
1'
Throw-In
Danny Simpson (Newcastle United)
1'
Start Half

A hat-trick from Theo Walcott and two from substitute Oliver Giroud help Arsenal make it four wins in a row while Newcastle lose a thrilling goal-fest for the second time in four days and come up short in a hugely entertaining game at the Emirates. Walcott and Demba Ba exchanged goals in the first half, in what was only an appetiser for what was to follow. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Lukas Podolski then twice put the Gunners in front only for Sylvain Marveaux and Ba again to level. Newcastle, though, ran out of steam after their match on Boxing Day and Arsenal mercilessly tore them apart. Walcott put the home side ahead to stay on 73 minutes before completing his hat-trick in stoppage time after two in two minutes from Giroud, who himself was denied a hat-trick by the crossbar. The ten goals was one short of the Premier League record.
Giroud is denied his hat-trick as he fires against the crossbar from close range.
Walcott completes a hat-trick, his second of the season and third for Arsenal, lifting a glorious shot over the unlucky Krul after a quickly-taken free-kick.
Santon is cautioned for a nasty challenge from behind on Giroud.
Sylvain Marveaux is replaced by James Tavernier.
Oliver Giroud makes it six for Arsenal, stroking home a right-foot shot from inside the area after collecting a pass from Walcott. Newcastle are caving in here.
Santi Cazorla is replaced by Francis Coquelin.
That is game over. Olivier Giroud heads a fifth for Arsenal with a headed goal from Walcott's cross.
Walcott's curling effort from the edge of the box hits Perch on the knee and goes a whisker wide. That would have been game over.
Shola Ameobi replaces Gael Bigirimana for Newcastle. Arsenal take off Lukas Podolski and put on Aaron Ramsey. Shane Ferguson has also come on for Danny Simpson for the visitors.
Which former Newcastle striker scored a hat-trick for Arsenal when they beat the Toon 5-3 at Highbury in 1976? Answer in a couple of minutes. Update - answer added after final whistle due to glut of goals - it was Malcolm Macdonald.
Newcastle are not done here. Bigirimana shoots from 25 yards and forces an awkward save from Szczesny.
Oliver Giroud replaces Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain for Arsenal.
This time it's Newcastle's turn to forget to mark their men. Cisse left Gibbs all alone on the left and he pulled the ball back into the centre. Podolski swung his leg at it and missed, Walcott steaded himself and lashed a shot into the top corner.
Theo Walcott puts Arsenal back in front again.
It's a great goal from Newcastle's view, but atrocious defending from the home side. Marveaux swivelled 25 yards from goal and floated a pass with the outside of his right foot for Ba to volley home from close range, the Toon frontman sneaking in on the blindside of Gibbs, who must have been thinking about getting home and playing with his Christmas presents, because he certainly wasn't concentrating on the game.Fabricio Coloccini
Demba Ba levels for Newcastle again!
Arsenal almost add a fourth, but Koscielny heads wide from Wilshere's right-wing corner.
The Gunners won the ball high up the pitch. Wilshere made good ground down the left and stood up an excellent cross that Coloccini headed off his own line and against the crossbar. He was a little unlucky that the German was perfectly placed to nod home from two yards.
Arsenal are back in front. The scorer is Lukas Podolski.
Cisse is caught in possession and is almost costs his side a goal. Podolski exchanges passes with Cazorla and looks in on goal, but Krul races off his line to save.
Cazorla collects a short pass from Wilshere and his well-struck left-footed effort from 20 yards forces Krul into a top-class save.
Gabriel Obertan made good ground down the left before cutting in and delivering a low centre to the far post. The ball took a slight deflection off Koscielny, but even so there was no excuse to leave Marveaux unattended at the back post and he duly converted with ease.
Sylvain Marveaux levels for Newcastle. Arsenal are stunned.
Tiote is robbed in the centre circle by Walcott, who advances to the edge of the area before running out of ideas and trying an unconvincing effort that goes well wide.
There's good news for Arsenal fans on all fronts. Their team are playing with much more pace and purpose at the start of this second half. And Arsene Wenger appears to have fixed the zip on his official Gunners coat that was causing him consternation for much of the first period.
It was a goal of Newcastle's own making. Near his own corner flag, Danny Simpson threw the ball straight to Podolski. The ball was transferred via Cazorla to Oxlade-Chamberlain, who drilled a low shot through the legs of Santon into the corner, giving Krul no chance.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain puts Arsenal back in front.
Arsenal immediately mount a threat. Podolski puts in Gibbs on the overlap and his driven shot to the near post is blocked by Krul.
Just to let you Arsenal fans know that we have spotted Santi Cazorla, who apparently was on the pitch in the first half, if rather inconspicuous. The Spaniard kicked off to start the second half, in case you were getting worried.
Arsenal get the second half under way.
Demba Ba's goal just before the interval sends Newcastle in much the happier of the two sides. The Senegal front man saw his free-kick take a wicked deflection off Jack Wilshere that wrong-footed Wojciech Szczesny in the Arsenal goal. The Gunners, like the game, have been lacklustre. The home side took the lead thanks to Theo Walcott's strike on 20 minutes. The England forward collected a pass from Lukas Podolski and outpaced the cover before slotting a neat finish into the corner past Tim Krul. Newcastle have created the better chances, Ba twice heading over from corners and Szczesny keeping out long-range shots from Cheick Tiote and Sylvain Marveaux.
Newcastle threaten again and Marveaux forces Szczesny into a fine save diving to his right.
Demba Ba levels for Newcastle from a free-kick, which deflects off the back of Jack Wilshere's head.
Newcastle string a few passes together before Tiote lets fly from 25 yards and his swerving shot forces Szczesny to palm over. From the corner, Arsenal have a two-on-one break only for Walcott to spurn the opening with a dreadful final pass.
Podolski is more committed in a challenge with Simpson and feeds Walcott, whose finish from 12 yards lacks conviction and draws a save from Krul.
Arsenal's defence must be loving this. Newcastle are dominating possession, but are doing no damage at all, playing all their football in front of the Gunners' backline. It's like watching the Swansea team of last season. Pass, pass, pass, with no end product.
Newcastle were impressive in attack at Fulham and Manchester United. Today they have been absolutely dreadful going forward and look what they are – one of three Premier League teams yet to record an away win.
Perch does his job well to track the run of Arteta and prevent him from sneaking in on the end of a Walcott corner. Krul drops the following set-piece, but regains possession just in time.
Oxlade-Chamberlain finds space down the right but overhits his cross by some 25 yards. It's hard to think this is the same player who was being viewed as England's footballing Messiah only last season.
It's so easy for Arsenal. Walcott was played onside down the left by the snoozing Santon on the opposite flank. He collected the pass from Podolski and advanced in on goal before sliding a delightful finish around Krul into the opposite corner.
Theo Walcott gives Arsenal the lead.
Oxlade-Chamberlain shrugs off the lightweight Santon down the right. His cross, though, is Walcott-esque: in other words aimed at nobody in particular. Newcastle clear easily.
Newcastle win a rare corner. Marveaux delivers from the right and Ba heads wastefully over from eight yards. That was the best chance of the match so far.
Walcott looks like he is going to have a great chance to open the scoring from Sagna's cross from the right, but Perch is alert enough to get across and snuff out the danger in the nick of time.
Alan Pardew must be delighted with the start his side have made. Arsenal have offered precious little threat going forward in these first 15 minutes.
It has been a so-so day so far for Newcastle in the Premier League. Reading and Wigan both won, but Aston Villa were hammered again. The biggest result from their perspective was probably Stoke coming down to snatch a point when Southampton looked poised for a crucial away victory.
Pardew refused to be drawn when asked about Sir Alex Ferguson's comments about him and Newcastle, who the Scot had branded “a wee club”. That's a pity, we were all hoping for a second Toon boss coming out with another “love it” quote to rival Kevin Keegan's famous rant from 1996: uk.youtube.com/watch?v=YXpUdBlRZe8
Alan Pardew sounded like a beaten manager when interviewed before kick-off today. “For us, it's all about performance,” he said. “If we can get anything from today and anything from Everton it will be a bonus.”
Arsenal break quickly after Tiote's shot is charged down. Wilshere carries the ball forward before feeding Oxlade-Chamberlain outside him, but his shot from the right edge of the box is dragged wide.
Newcastle kick off, attacking the goal to our left.
Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Arteta, Wilshere, Cazorla, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Podolski, Walcott. Subs: Mannone, Rosicky, Giroud, Ramsey, Djourou, Coquelin, Gervinho. Newcastle: Krul, Simpson, Coloccini, Perch, Santon, Obertan, Bigirimana, Tiote, Marveaux, Ba, Cisse. Subs: Harper, Shola Ameobi, Sammy Ameobi, Ferguson, Tavernier, Abeid, Streete. Referee: Chris Foy (Merseyside).
Per Mertesacker was taken ill overnight, so his place in central defence goes to Laurent Koscielny in the only change to the Arsenal side that won 1-0 at Wigan last time out. Mike Williamson (suspended) and Vurnon Anita (injured) miss out for Newcastle. Alan Pardew brings in Gabriel Obertan for a rare start and Cheick Tiote is back after serving a one-game ban. James Perch will drop back from midfield to partner Fabricio Coloccini in the centre of defence.
With their Boxing Day match against West Ham having been postponed, Arsenal entertain Newcastle at the Emirates Stadium, rested and eager to make up ground on the sides around them who have already picked up points at the start of the festive period. The Gunners currently find themselves in seventh, but within striking distance, and with five of their next seven games at home they can cement their place in the top three over the next month if they can turn their home patch into a place to be feared. Arsene Wenger's men are looking for their fourth win in a row, but if they fall short of expectations come the end of the season, they will look back with disappointment at the five points dropped in front of their own fans against Fulham and Swansea. A further slip-up is simply unacceptable, particularly against a Newcastle outfit that are ravaged by injuries and no doubt tired from that performance at Old Trafford on Boxing Day. The Toon showed that day just how dangerous they can be. Their performances have not been those of a struggling side, even if they have not been matched by the results, but Arsenal need to be wary and their manager knows it. Wenger told the official Arsenal website: “Newcastle have gone through a difficult start but they showed [against Manchester United] that they have qualities and they have not lost them. For us, it's important to be well focused.” Today's game kicks off at 1730GMT, so join us around 30 minutes beforehand when we should have the confirmed team news, which will be followed by a match commentary.
Theo Walcott may have become something of a marginalised player during the earlier part of the season, but he has shown in the past two matches just how important it is for the Gunners to persuade him to sign a new deal. Playing down the middle – as is his preference – Walcott has looked mightily impressive and been instrumental in their last two victories on the road. The visitors' key man going forward is Demba Ba, whose 11 of Newcastle's 23 goals have been worth eight points to the club and without which they would be mired in the relegation zone. Just as important today, though, is how effective holding midfielder Cheick Tiote is at snuffing out the threat posed by the likes of Santi Cazorla when Arsenal go forward.
Newcastle have the better head-to-head record in league meetings between the sides with 62 wins to 58 by Arsenal and 36 games being drawn. At the Emirates Stadium and its predecessors, Arsenal have 39 wins to 22 by Newcastle, with a further 15 meetings ending up all square. The corresponding match last season on Mar. 12 resulted in a 2-1 win for Arsenal. Hatem Ben Arfa gave the Toon a 14th-minute lead, which was immediately cancelled out by Robin van Persie before Thomas Vermaelen won it with a goal in the last minute. Newcastle did win on this ground on Nov. 7 2010, courtesy of a lone Andy Carroll goal.
Arsenal sit in seventh place, with 30 points from 18 games, three points behind Tottenham, Everton and West Brom at start of play on Saturday, but with that postponed game against West Ham in hand. Newcastle start the day in 15th, with 20 points. Since that damaging home defeat to Swansea, the Gunners have only been derailed by the Tube strike, having won three consecutive games against West Brom, Reading and Wigan. Newcastle put in another capable performance away from home against Manchester United on Boxing Day, but they have lost seven of their last nine, with the only victories coming against relegation-threatened Wigan and Queens Park Rangers.
Arsenal have Olivier Giroud and Tomas Rosicky available after illness. Andre Santos (stomach muscle) and midfielder Abou Diaby (thigh) are expected to return to training next week. Newcastle welcome back Cheick Tiote after suspension, but have major selection problems. Mike Williamson sits out after collecting his fifth booking of the season at Old Trafford and Vurnon Anita injured his ankle in that match. Jonas Gutierrez (knee) is another recent addition to the lengthy Newcastle injury list that includes Yohan Cabaye (groin), Hatem Ben Arfa and Steven Taylor (both hamstring) and Ryan Taylor, Dan Gosling and Haris Vuckic (all knee).
Taking charge of today's game is Chris Foy, who has been on the select list of referees since 2001. The Merseyside official refereed 22 games in the Premier League last season, cautioning 60 players and dismissing four others (all from the away team). Foy has seen 13 top-flight appointments so far this season and has been one of the most lenient referees, showing just 21 yellow cards and failing to send anyone off. It has been more than a year since he brandished a red card in a Premier League match, the somewhat unlucky recipient being Tottenham's Younes Kaboul at Stoke. Foy's assistants today are Stephen Child and Harry Lennard, while Anthony Taylor is the fourth official.