Arsenal are back in Premier League action this afternoon, with Newcastle visiting the Emirates.
Here are today’s official line-ups.
Arsenal: Leno, Bellerin, Mustafi, Luiz, Saka, Ceballos, Xhaka, Ozil, Pepe, Nketiah, Aubameyang
Subs: Martinez, Sokratis, Kolasinac, Torreira, Willock, Martinelli, Lacazette
Newcastle: Dubravka, Lazaro, Fernandez, Lascelles, Clark, Rose, Longstaff, Bentaleb, Almiron, Saint-Maxim, Joelinton
Subs: Darlow, Schar, Ritchie, Hayden, LeJeune, Astu, Longstaff
Fascinating line up. Can’t wait to see how it goes. Excited for Eddie!
Really is. Blogs suggested that we’d see Arteta picking what he considered his strongest line up today… I doubt many of us would have picked that XI. One can only assume that it’s a product of training. Looking forward to it.
I’ve been saying this I still think Eddie Nketiah neeed that loan to another team. He just seems a little undercooked and not quite ready for this level. I think he’ll be useful for the odd games and Europa league and fa cup but I don’t see him getting a run of games in the epl especially not at the expense of Martinelli. He didn’t show much today. And actually surprised he was starting in CF ahead of Auba that’s a bad decision by Arteta. You don’t put your most exprnsive striker and best forward on the wings to accommodate… Read more »
I want to see Ceballos channeling his inner Ramsey!
By the way, blogs, I often get a note saying I’ve voted up comments that I haven’t yet. This comment included. Seems to have stayed with the new site design. Anyone else getting that?
Funny because when I hit the thumbs up I get nothing – repeatedly. So I couldn’t upvote your comment (Blog- I’m using the app)
That was VAR claiming you had voted. And I’m told Mike Dean is in charge.
Martinelli on the bench! Wtf?
Oh shiiiiieeet! I’d love it in Eddie has a storming game today!
So did we replace Laca through the middle (which shunted Auba out wide) for Eddie through the middle (which is shunting Auba out wide)? I’m all for giving the kid his chances, but I’m not sure I agree with this lineup.
Eddie can play on the wing, and he most likely will this game
I will reverse my thumb down if you are proven right Lord.
I stand by my thumb down Lord. 🙁
Sound like a great way to extend you best player! Barcelona would play him through the middle, we won’t. Just shows the supreme level of Arsenal football club.
Slightly confused but I’ll take it. I hope we play on the front foot and finish the game early. I’m proud to see Mustafi proving himself as he’s benched Papa, but our defence has improved, it’s our attack that has been worrisome of late. Hoping for Laca to come on late an score a goal
Where to start on this one? Is Martinelli not fit? Did Eddie smash it in training? Is this a Dani Onions chance to pull the strings in the middle and will he drift into a more advanced role leaving just Xhaka to cover Mustafi and Luiz? Why are we not starting Sokratis?
Agree with all your points but I want to fully trust Mikel as I’m sure this is all planned and not experimenting. Martinelli exclusion is strange though based on his recent form
Martinelli and Lacazette for the Europa League maybe
Oh yeah don’t get me wrong I trust this is something that Mikel and his staff have put together based on what they have seen in the last two weeks. I just can’t help wondering… Regardless COYG!
Many people confuse Ceballos for “cebolla” – onion
The plural cebollas is more than close enough for a nickname
Eddie is starting! Exciting lineup. Praying for a win. COYG!
He’s brave leaving out Martinelli and Torreira. That’s the most polite way I can put it.
Still, COYG!
Let’s hope this works. Seems a bit of a gamble. I was all for dropping laca but to move Auba central!
Hoping this is a diamond in midfield
With Auba and Eddie together up top
That would make sense
I know this line up will not make everyone happy but maybe Arteta don’t want A squad & B squad for EPL , Europa as Wenger & Emery prefered. He maybe going somewhat Pep & klopp way by keeping some players fresh for Europa (As we know how important that competition is for us)
You make a good point. Martinelli and Torreira have been charging about like maniacs for us in recent times.
It’s the only reason I can think of. Keep them fresh for the Europa game. If so, we might also see Auba for Laca after an hour. Kola for Saka too at some point.
Laca for Auba
Utter nonsense, they have all had 2 weeks rest no need for load management right now.
Right mate, because you have more detailed information than the club’s medical team.
coming off the bench for 20-25 minutes might be exactly what Laca needs now.
Would have had Martinelli in left and Auba up front. But still I like it. We need something different.
Surprised not to see Martinelli on the pitch!!!
I’m certainly no Ozil fan.
but Ozil’s best form in an Arsenal shirt was the first half’s of the 2015/16 and 2016/17 seasons, when Cazorla was at the base of our midfield, but then got injured.
It’s also the most attractive football we’ve played since 2010/11 season.
I’ve wondered for a while if Ceballos can do a similar job to Cazorla?
In that he can keep the ball in tight areas, beat the press, releasing Ozil early, and dictating play from deep.
It’s an exciting lineup, I fancy us for a few goals today.
Yes. Gets another playmaker on the field in the form of Ceballos. This sound be interesting.
A spine of Mustafi Xhaka Nketiah is concerning to say the least
Just have to wait and see. Its either genius or moronic.
Xhaka Ceballos partnership…. interesting
More likely a 4-1-4-1 formation with Ceballos partnering Ozil.
With a congested fixture list ahead, we’ll need all our players to play. That said, a huge game we simply have to win. COYG!
Martinelli seems More the kind of player to make an impact off the bench than Eddie, his pace and strength against players who’ve already played at least 45 minutes could be devestating
Back to winning ways.
Why Auba on the wings always??? Like wtf kinda line up is this? All this chopping and changing, hope this ain’t Emery 2.0. Midfield ain’t bad but should be Martinelli on the left, Auba down the middle. Keep it simple man.
If Arsenal don’t win the blame will lie solely at Mikel’s feet with that line up.
I don’t like having Auba out wide to play Nketiah through the middle, even more so that it means Martinelli loses his place. Eddie has obviously been training well. It’s an attacking lineup, which I’m happy about. Eddie will probably score, and I’m excited to see what Ceballos will do. I’m optimistic for this one.
We only have one job to do — finish 5th or better and we’re back in the champions league.
Playing THREE creative midfielders and benching Torreira isn’t the way to do it.??♂️
Great prediction, Nostradamus.
At least it’s something a little different. Ceballos might combine well with ozil. Harsh on martinelli but don’t think anyone should be playing every game when there’s 2 in a week and so many are fit. Does seem like Auba is only ever going to be used down the left driving into space that’s left from the forward
very aggressive line up. Let’s see how this play out
Big game for Eddie. If he scores and plays well, then fans might start to consider him a challenger to Aubameyang and Lacazette
As if we needed more evidence that Xhaka is a fucking moron.
Glad for Nketiah and Pepe. Xhaka and Mustafi, are still liabilities, xhaka’s stupid yellow where he even went to discuss with the ref and touched him in the end proves that, he is even stupid with such things. One stupid tackle and he’s out with a red.
Do Arsenal bother turning up for Premiership games now?
This is pathetic…
Utter shit isn’t it
People slate Emery for good reason by Arteta has been no better.
This has bore draw written all over it..
This has got to be the most sterile Arsenal team I have ever seen
Not a convincing first half thus far!!!
It’s sickening to watch mustafi retreating every time to allow these crosses in! He never ventures to meet the ball. And why did artetastart him ahead of papa?
I’m sick of watching most of these players tbh.
Aubameyang is not a winger. Period!
He not good at combining down the wing, he just goes direct.
Utterly tedious stuff. Things need to improve. Hopefully, MA rips into them and makes a change or two.
We somehow look tired after our break.
Get Martinelli on at half time please.
There is a huge progress thanks
We need wins now.
Why isn’t Martinelli up top? Is he injured?
I think that nketiah and ozil may come out and hv a strong force in there (lacazette & martinelli).
A midfield if Ozil Xhaka Ceballos sounded fragile. Luiz Mustafi is error prone and Martinelli on the bench is like shooting tour own foot.
Auba up to and Martinelli on the left, bring on Nelson to the right
About fucking time! Get in.
Okay so VAR is only used for the benefit of Liverpool? I think there should be the option to challenge decisions like that, in the same way they do in tennis!!!
Which Mustafi is this??? Wow
Man of the match
NO ONE TALK ABOUT ARTETA. NO ONE TALK ABOUT OZIL. NO ONE TALK ABOUT PEPE. NO ONE TALK ABOUT LACA.
THE BOYS ARE BACK!