Arsenal willing to extend power over Newcastle

The Gunners have goalkeeper Peter Cech to thank for escaping another defeat at the Emirates Stadium on Monday, as the former Chelsea’s shot-stopper came up with several breath-taking saves against Liverpool in a game that Arsenal struggled for most of the first half against the Christian Benteke-led attack of the Reds.

With four points after three matches, Arsenal needs victory to close the gap between it and Manchester City that has taken early lead with nine points from its 100 per cent result so far.

Arsenal fans hold the bragging rights going into today’s clash with the Gunners winning in all six of the last meetings involving both sides in the EPL.

And while Arsenal has won six out of its last seven away fixtures, Newcastle has failed to win 13 out of
14 of its last EPL fixtures.

Arsenal must, however, be wary of Newcastle’s counter attacks and defending set pieces, two aspects where the Magpies draw their strengths.

But the inability to keep possession, weakness in aerial duels and poor reaction to attacks down the wings could spell doom for the Steve McClaren’s side considering that the Gunners are reputed for their excellent ball possession and control of the game in the opponent’s half.

The Arsene Wenger’s side is also very strong in aerial duels and has a penchant for attacking with
ease down the left wing and through the middle.

The players that would determine the rhythm of the game today are France international forward,
Papiss Cissé, Moussa Sissoko, Aleksandar
Mitrović, Massadio Haïdara, Daryl Janmaat, Gabriel
Obertan, Fabricio Coloccini and Cheick  Tioté while Arsenal will be boosted by the return of the duo of
Laurent  Koscielny and Per Mertesacker in the defence to give goalkeeper  Petr Cech cover, while
Mesut Ozil, Santi Cazorla, Alexis Sanchez, Aaron Ramsey, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Oliver
Giroud are expected to lead the attack for the Gunners.

Arsenal is ninth on the EPL log with four points after three matches while Newcastle is placed a distant 17th with just two points from three games.