Arsenal will be hoping to repeat their 7-3 thrashing of Newcastle when their visit the Magpies at St. James Park exactly a year later. A win at St. James Park will see the Gunners go into the New Year as the league leaders. On the other hand, Newcastle can go into 2014 in a Champions League position if they manage to spoil Arsenal’s party and hope that Everton will drop points at home against Soton.
Both sides will go into this fixture full of confidence after both team bagged maximum points in their Boxing Day fixtures. Resilient Arsenal welcomed back Podolski in a 3-1 comeback win against the defiant West Ham that saw the German score one and setup another one. Podolski’s fitness is welcome news to both the fans and Wenger who now has a backup for the misfiring Giroud. Wenger will also be happy to welcome back Jack Wilshere from a two match suspension but will be without Koscielny and on-form Aaron Ramsey who limped off at West Ham. Nevertheless, Arsenal will be hoping that The Walcott can repeat his December 29th 2012 Hat trick this year. Although Alan Pardew’s boys are in great form (bagged 22 points out of the possible 27 points in their last 9 games) they should be very wary of the on-form gunners. Newcastle welcome back Tiote and hope that Remy will continue with his impressive form.
Arsenal Line-up
Wilshere and Koscielny returned to the Arsenal line-up, Mesut Ozil will not be playing due to shoulder injured.
Line-up: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs, Flamini, Rosicky, Wilshere, Walcott, Cazorla, Giroud.
Subs: Fabianski, Jenkinson, Arteta, Ryo, Bendtner, Gnabry, Podolski.
Care for some Arsenal Newcastle Numbers?
173 – Sunday’s meeting will be the 173rd game and the 159th league meeting between the two sides
79 – Arsenal have scored a record 79 points in 2013. This record cannot be surpassed.
19 – Arsenal have scored 19 away points this season (the most away points this campaign). Arsenal last played Newcastle on 19th May 2013 and won by a solitary goal to finish fourth on the league
13 – Aaron Ramsey is the leading goal scorer at the Emirates with 13 goals while Loic Remey is the leading goal scorer at St. James Park with 10 goals.
11- There were 11 (7-3 and 1-0) goals scored in the same fixture last season bur only one goal scored at St. James Park
7 – The Magpies have scored maximum points in 7 of their last 9 games