Newcastle v Arsenal (CC)

[Curt.B]

St. James' Park
Wednesday, October 27, 2010, 19:45

[Craigie]

I think this will be our classic "really good carling cup performance" game before the inevitable downfall.

As long as JET plays I don't care about anybody else.

[Curt.B]

Our team could look really good. Even guys like Fabregas, Bendtner and Walcott need games to get back to their best.

Will we see Ches in goal? I hope so.

Szceseny
Eboue Kos/Nordveit? Djourou Gibbs
(Fabregas?) Denilson Lansbury?
Walcott Bendtner/JET Vela


There's so many players who could do with a game. Rosicky is another. Our squad is as deep as an ocean trench at the moment, except a Centre Half.

[Curt.B]

If we don't win with this team I will feel very disappointed. It's a real sign of how good our youngsters/2nd string players are now that you look at the team on paper and it looks this strong:

Arsene Wenger is again likely to select a strong squad for Wednesday night's Carling Cup fourth-round trip to Newcastle.

Nicklas Bendtner and Theo Walcott are both fit following injury and could feature after coming off the bench in the 3-0 Premier League win over 10-man Manchester City, while youngsters Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, Kieran Gibbs, Henri Lansbury - who scored in the last round at White Hart Lane - and goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny will probably be included again.

Centre-half Laurent Koscielny has recovered from a back problem, but Thomas Vermaelen (Achilles), Robin van Persie (ankle), Manuel Almunia (elbow) and Aaron Ramsey (leg) are still sidelined, while England midfielder Jack Wilshere continues to serve a three-match ban.

Newcastle boss Chris Hughton will ring the changes once again.

Hughton will rest several of his key men ahead of Sunday's derby clash with Sunderland, with striker Andy Carroll among those likely to be left out.

Tamas Kadar, Shane Ferguson and Haris Vuckic, who have been involved in the earlier rounds, are in line for starts, although Sol Campbell (thigh) will miss out and the game will come too soon for Steven Taylor (shoulder) despite his return to full training.

Steve Harper (shoulder), Leon Best (ankle), Hatem Ben Arfa (double leg fracture) and Dan Gosling (knee) are still sidelined.

Teams:

Newcastle (from): Krul, Soderberg, R. Taylor, Simpson, Perch, Ferguson, Enrique, Coloccini, Williamson, Kadar, Smith, Tiote, Barton, Routledge, Gutierrez, Guthrie, Vuckic, Tavernier, Donaldson, Nolan, Carroll, Ameobi, Lovenkrands, Ranger.

Arsenal (from): Szczesny, Gibbs, Djourou, Koscielny, Eboue, Rosicky, Denilson, Diaby, Lansbury, Bendtner, Walcott, Fabianski, Clichy, Squillaci, Arshavin, Song, Fabregas, Nasri, Chamakh, Emmanuel-Thomas, Eastmond.

football365.com

[Curt.B]

Player Ratings: (Blog if you wish, I might have been the only one who has watched this game : p )


First and foremost a brilliant defensive performance by Arsenal which provided a platform for the goals later on. The defence was impressive and is really starting to take shape. Koscielny seems to have come back stronger, Djourou is growing in confidence and strength, and Szczesny was a brick wall.

Szczesny - 8: A perfect game. Fantastic saves, aerially dominant, perfect distribution. He was brave and strong and deserved a clean sheet. Second choice, for me, on Fabianski's form. Manuel who?
Djourou - 8: Had an excellent game, had a few problems at some points getting caught for pace, but enjoyed a spell of dominance in the last half hour where he really had to be on his toes.
Koscielny (MOTM) - 8.5: Was a brick wall for us. Timing of the challeneg is fantastic and made crucial tackles throughout the game. Several key blocks, including once on an open goal. Szczesny owes him his clean sheet.
Gibbs - N/A: Really didn't get enough time on the pitch to make an impression. Came of injured which is so disappointing, as this was another chance to shine. Hopefully it's nothing major.
Eboue - 7: Had a good game, especially given the majority of it had to be played on the wrong side of the pitch. Took over for Gibbs and was impressive in defence. Stayed sharp right to then end when he was of great help to the keeper.
Eastmond - 7: Composed and mature performance, some well timed tackles. A disciplined game.
Rosicky - 6.5: Didn't impose himself on the game in the playmaking role he was intended for. Not a bad game, but didn't impress as he has in recent weeks.
Denilson - 7: Was the invisible man, but in a good way, really. Disciplined performance and shielded the back four well. Cycled possession to the more attacking players very well.
Walcott - 8.5: Two goals, two clinical finishes. Showing his ability through the centre, however didn't have a great game out wide, his crossing was off all day.
Vela - 6: Had a bad game, to be honest, perhaps a 6 is generous. Offered nothing all day, and lost the ball a lot through sloppy running and passing.
Bendtner - 7.5: Scored a brilliant goal from as good a strike as you'll ever see. Lots of fans question his finishing, and yes, he smacked a few straight at Krul, but with shots like that he'll get better and better.

[Gaffer]

Thanks Curt...

Great game... Good to see Walcott and Nic back and scoring goals. Dissapointed with Vela and Eastmond

[Reddaz]

Thought the Bendtner finish was class. Straight in the top corner.

Theo is looking clinical and it is good to see him back and scoring goals.

If our team can keep this form up and beat the big boys this season we have a great shout at the title.

[Curt.B]

Anyone notice how massive Szczesny looks in goal? He almost hits his ehad on the cross bar. He doesn't seem to dive in slow motion like Al/Fab, either.

Plus, when he gets low, he doesn't crouch over, he stays as big as a house.

The team must feel very confident with him in goal, his size and presence dominates the area. Plus he doesn't seem afraid to let the defence know who's boss.