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[Image] Saka & Partey out, Elneny & Willian start: My Arsenal line-up vs Newcastle

By on May 1, 2021

Arsenal take on Newcastle United at St James’ Park on Sunday afternoon. This is the team I’d like to see Mikel Arteta select for the match…

Last weeks defeat to Everton has ended any realistic hopes of qualifying for Europe via the Premier League so everything now rests on turning things around in the Europa League. With the crucial semi-final second leg coming up on Thursday night, it makes sense for Arteta to rest his big guns for the Villarreal game.

Therefore, I wouldn’t risk Bernd Leno in goal tomorrow afternoon. Mat Ryan can get another run-out for Arsenal against Newcastle.

I don’t think the current defence is working at all and I’d actually hope to play an entirely different back four for the second leg. I’d go with Hector Bellerin, David Luiz, Gabriel and Kieran Tierney [if fit] against Villarreal.

In order for that to happen, they need to prove themselves to Arteta so I’d start Bellerin, Luiz and Gabriel against Newcastle in the hope they impress. Ideally Tierney could get some minutes off the bench tomorrow to prove his fitness.

Willian starts

Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey should be rested for Arsenal’s return leg against Villarreal so Mohamed Elneny can come in tomorrow. Obviously Dani Ceballos will be suspended on Thursday so he should keep his place against Newcastle.

In attack, I hope we see Bukayo Saka, Nicolas Pepe and Martin Odegaard protected for the Europa League. Willian can get a run out while I’d like to see Gabriel Martinelli get another start for Arsenal along with Emile Smith Rowe.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang only got a few minutes against Villarreal and Arteta says he’s not fit enough to start just yet but hopefully he can play at least 30 minutes against Newcastle from the bench.

Alexandre Lacazette faces a late fitness test on a hamstring injury but I wouldn’t risk him from the start tomorrow so Eddie Nketiah can lead the line up front.

This would be my Arsenal line-up:

football formations

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