Match
Overview : Saturday, 9th November 2002
This
is a huge game for Arsenal. After finally ending their
losing run to Fulham last week, they come up against Bobby
Robsons resurgent Newcastle United.
Despite
thie recent loss in confidence, Arsenal still have an
impressive home record. Having only lost once at home,
and scoring fifteen, Arsenal will be extremely difficult
to beat today. They will welcome back the trio of Robert
Pires, Dennis Bergkamp, and Giovanni van Bronckhorst who
should all be up to 100% fitness after shaking off long
termn injuries. The big news for Arsenal, however, is
that captain and star midfielder Patrick Viera is back
after his two match ban.
Bobby
Robson should have a fresh squad to choose from with key
players such as Alan Shearer and Gary Speed rested in
midweek. They are still missing long term injury victims
Titus Bramble (hamstring) and Craig Bellamy (knee). Having
taken 15 points from a possible 18 the Newcastle confidence
will be high, and they will be looking forward to this
game. On closer inspection of their recent form, however
Arsenal look to be the clear winners of this game. Newcastle
have won only once in their last six away games, taking
only 4 points from a possible 18. They also have one of
the worst records for conceding goals away, with 11. Only
the basement teams of West Bromwich and Bolton have conceded
more away. Highbury is not the place to go with a leaky
defence and with Thierry Henry, Sylvain Wiltord, Dennis
Bergkamp Robert Pires, Freddie Ljungberg and Kanu all
fit, I expect a few goals too.
Due
to Newcastle's awful away form, I can Arsenal winning
this one by more than one goal.
