Looking at this Newcastle United team v Arsenal.
Eddie Howe’s side aiming to get United back into winning form. Or at least out of losing form anyway.
Premier League victories over Man U and Chelsea, then followed by losses to the Mackems, Palace and Bournemouth.
As a reminder, this was the Newcastle team v Bournemouth:
Ramsdale, Livramento, Thiaw, Botman, Hall, Miley, Tonali, Ramsey, Osula, Barnes, Elanga
In his pre-match press conference on Friday, Eddie Howe saying that Anthony Gordon and Tino Livramento aren’t available due to injury.
We already knew that Emil Krafth and Fabian Schar would be missing. Whilst for Joelinton this is the second game of a two match suspension.
Taking all of that into consideration…
This is my predicted Newcastle United team v Arsenal:
Pope, Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Burn, Bruno, Tonali, Ramsey, Osula, Barnes, Elanga
If the above ends up as the reality, it would mean four changes for Eddie Howe compared to the team that started against Bournemouth.
With coming in – Pope, Trippier, Burn, Bruno
Dropping out – Ramsdale, Livramento, Hall, Bruno
When the Eddie Howe selection is revealed at 4.15pm this afternoon, I honestly wouldn’t be surprised by whatever the Newcastle United team v Arsenal ends up being.
There will be two changes for sure. Trippier coming in for the injured Livramento, as well as (assuming he is physically okay to start) Bruno starting his first Premier League game since picking up the injury in the win over Tottenham on 10 February.
Lewis Hall looked a bit out of sorts last weekend and was at fault for the opening goal, Dan Burn at left-back I think is a real possibility as Eddie Howe looks to stop the flow of goals.
Whispers in the media that Nick Pope might come back in and I think it is worth a go. At his best he is very good and can be a match winner, or match saver, Aaron Ramsdale hasn’t convinced he is the answer whilst doing okay up to a point.
If my predictions come true, it takes us back to almost the stellar performing defence of 2022/23, the only change to that back five of three seasons ago being Malick Thiaw for the injured Fabian Schar.
As well as finding someone to make way for Bruno (Lewis Miley is my nominal choice), I wouldn’t be surprised to see any of Woltemade, Willock, Jacob Murphy, or Wissa getting a start. Eddie Howe looking to find a starting eleven to kickstart this five match run in. Osula has scored in each of these last two matches and worked hard, but still to me doesn’t really provide an ideal point of attack up front.
I suppose the reality is that at this point in time, there are far too many questions about the starting level, rather than definite answers.