[Stu Laverty]

Monday 12th March, Emirates Stadium
8.00 PM Kick Off
Barclays Premier League


vs.

A match with big implications for both teams. Defeat tonight will see Newcastle fall 8 points behind Arsenal in the race for fourth spot, effectively ending any outside chance of them reaching the Champions League. For Arsenal, a win tonight not only restores their 3 point cushion ahead of 5th place Chelsea but, perhaps more importantly for Gunners fans, brings them just a point behind local rivals, Spurs.

And it's also a match which has provided some pretty spectacular memories for both sets of supporters:

- Arsenal have won 6 of the last 8 times at home to Newcastle, but lost 1-0 in this fixture last year, thanks to an Andy Carroll header.
- Arsenal have had a man sent off in each of their last three league matches against Newcastle.
- Arsenal have failed to beat Newcastle in their last 3 encounters.
- Newcastle have lost 3 of their last 4 away games in the league.

* * *

Not feeling too confident about this. Arsenal are in good form and we've been shakey for the past few games. Plus it's at the Emirates too.

[jit987]

COYG Expecting a convincing win, 2-0.

[Da_hopeful_1]

http://twitter.com/LaurensJulien/sta...56298947350528

Ben Arfa starts for the Toon. Looks like no Ryan Taylor.

[rockrunride]

Please, please let me get what I want.

[Abiraleft]

Looking forward to this game. I'm going to be bold and predict 4-1 to Arsenal; we've been in very good form, have gained momentum and morale over our last couple of fixtures, and have scored - what, 15 goals in our last 3 home games (7-1, 5-2, 3-0?)?

Then again, we have been known to stir up the occasional crumble.

[jilebinator]

COYG!!!

I have a very bad feeling about this match.

[Darth Vader 7]

I think we'll win 3-1. Big game but we are finally getting players back now and we're playing like Arsenal should.

[KingGoonIan]

Gonna listen to the match while I play FIFA 12; bought it the day and am findin pretty hard like.

Will be happy with a draw.

[TM94]

Think we'll get battered.



Then again I'm a Toon supporter so I'm always pessimistic.

[Abbadon27]

For some reason I feel that our over confidence is going to come back to haught us after this match

[jilebinator]

Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Song, Arteta, Rosicky, Walcott, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Van Persie.

Substitutes: Fabianski, Djourou, Santos, Ramsey, Benayoun, Gervinho, Chamakh.

Why is Gervinho on the bench?

[Chriswuk]

NUFC: Krul Simpson Williamson Colo Santon Obertan Cabaye Tiote Jonas Ben Arfa Ba

Subs: Elliot Guthrie Shola Perch Cisse Vuckic Gosling

Ben arfa behind Ba as many wanted. Raylor out with injury so will be interesting to see how Obertan does.

[Colonel.]

I think we'll keep the good form up.

2-0 Arsenal.

[Abcrew]

Can I just ask why on the Tiote goal video does the Newcastle goalkeeper do some weird fall onto the grass
(at 0:29)

[TM94]

Squidward better ****ing track back tonight

[antonfigo]

not feeling too confident about this one...wenger might have to get that water bottle of his out.

[jilebinator]

(Original post by Colonel.)
I think we'll keep the good form up.

2-0 Arsenal.

slowly, but surely, your becoming an Arsenal fan.

[Abiraleft]

(Original post by jilebinator)
slowly, but surely, your becoming an Arsenal fan.

He does that all the time.

[Karma Charger]

Oh god, Ben Arfa in a free role He just ends up getting shackled by the centrebacks, far more effective on the ****ing left. We have played the 4-4-1-1 four times before. The results: 3-1 loss to City away, 3-0 loss to Chelsea at home, 1-1 away at Utd (where we got that joke of a penalty) and the 3-1 loss at Liverpool. It doesn't work! Of course I maybe entirely wrong here...

[Chriswuk]

(Original post by Karma Charger)
Oh god, Ben Arfa in a free role He just ends up getting shackled by the centrebacks, far more effective on the ****ing left. We have played the 4-4-1-1 four times before. The results: 3-1 loss to City away, 3-0 loss to Chelsea at home, 1-1 away at Utd (where we got that joke of a penalty) and the 3-1 loss at Liverpool. It doesn't work! Of course I maybe entirely wrong here...

Have to say I felt the same as this when I saw the lineup but if HBA plays like he did against the mackems I think it could work.