A flawless one. This is Arsenal’s mantra if the Gunners wish to finish Premier League champions at the end of the season. While they had their destiny in their hands, last week’s defeat against Manchester City put them in the position of hunter. It begins at the end of this afternoon against Newcastle (a meeting to follow live with commentary on French Football Weekly from 6:30 p.m.). If the Magpies are well established in the soft underbelly, they can hope for Europe if successful.
Mikel Arteta bets on the same 4-3-3 as against the Citizens at Mosquera: it is Ben White who steals his place at right back. Odegaard is still aligned in the middle. The Saliba-Gabriel pair will have to be uncompromising to avoid conceding a goal. Eddie Howe is banking on the same system as his London counterpart. Woltemade still remains in the closet and it is the Dane Osula who is preferred. Bruno Guimaraes and Tonali are present in midfield. Botman and Thiaw make up the central hinge.
The official compositions:
Arsenal: Raya – White, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapié – Odegaard, Rice, Zubimendi – Madueke, Havertz, Eze
Newcastle: Pope – Miley, Burn, Thiaw, Burn – Guimaraes, Tonali, Ramsey – Murphy, Osula, Willock
