After an excellent draw at Old Trafford in the Premier League last Saturday and a midweek win over Northampton Town in the League Cup, Newcastle host Arsenal in the early kick-off at 12.45 on Saturday. Confidence is high in the Magpies camp and Steve McClaren faces the kind of selection dilemma his predecessor Alan Pardew could only dream of.
Pardew’s best results against Wenger’s Arsenal for Newcastle were two draws: 0-0 in the opening fixture of the 2011/12 season and the Premier League’s best-ever comeback in the 2010/11 campaign when the Magpies came back from 4-0 down to secure a point thanks to Cheick Tiote’s strike.
The 2005/06 season was the last time Newcastle beat Arsenal at home in the Premier League thanks to a late Nobby Solano winner. Andy Carroll’s winner at The Emirates in November 2010 sealed a famous away win for Chris Hughton’s men — the last time Newcastle have beaten Arsenal.
This is how Steve McClaren can mastermind a victory against Arsenal.
1) Win the physical battle
Its a cliché yet Arsene’s Arsenal don’t like it “up ’em.” They have never been fully able to deal with the physical side of the game since the backbone of George Graham’s side retired and are somewhat of a soft touch. A strong and tall spine to the team comprising Steven Taylor, Cheick Tiote and Aleksandar Mitrovic will give Newcastle real stature and the physical edge, especially if Geordie Paul Dummett is fit. Getting into their faces from the off with Mitrovic leading from the front and Cheick Tiote shielding the defence will pay rich dividends.
When West Ham United beat The Gunners 2-0 at The Emirates on the opening day, 6ft 3in 16 year-old Reece Oxford broke everything up in front of his back four and didn’t allow Arsenal’s attackers to play. With a similar performance from Tiote plus Mitrovic bullying a potentially weakened Gunners rearguard, Newcastle will win.
2) Defend like at Old Trafford and don’t concede a set piece
Remarkably, in each of the last three seasons’ home games against Arsenal at St James’ Park, Newcastle have conceded headers from free kicks and corners and as a result the points on the day. Stopping this will nullify half Arsenal’s threat and it starts with not diving in and giving away silly free-kicks in the first place and conceding corners if possible.
Cheick Tiote’s recklessness is often a talking point among Newcastle fans yet it is his deputy Vurnon Anita who loses his head against the big teams, most recently conceding a penalty at The Etihad in the 5-0 in February. By contrast, Tiote’s at his best against the best, as demonstrated in the 2-1 defeat of Chelsea and, with the match sharpness he looked to have gained in the second half of the Capital One Cup tie midweek, he could play like the potent international player he is.
Overall team defending and discipline will have to be excellent as it was at Old Trafford to repel The Gunners. As ever, a strong and fair referee will be required as it was a very soft free kick given against Tiote in 2013 following an ignored clear Arsenal foul on Anita that set up a Giroud-finished free-kick at St James’ Park.
3) Spring a tactical surprise
Steve McClaren will be still figuring out his best XI — if indeed there is one — and between him, Paul Simpson, Ian Cathro and Steve Black, an intelligent tactical approach will play its part in felling Arsenal. Steve McClaren has superb attacking options now and while Thauvin is certain to start on one wing, re-jigging the attack is a real possibility to surprise Arsenal.
Siem De Jong was excellent on Tuesday in his first full 90 minutes for over a year and his strategic play in the number 10 role proved him a class apart while Gini Wijnaldum was excellent in the position against Southampton and scored a glorious header. On the wings, Moussa Sissoko could be back in contention. Gabriel Obertan has looked good early on while Rolando Aarons was involved in the goals on Tuesday. Don’t rule out Papiss Cisse and two strikers up front as well.
A wealth of players in the squad, both in attack and defence, means Newcastle’s team is no longer the predictable line-up of recent seasons which makes them far more dangerous.
4) Unleash Thauvin’s hammer
The jury is still out on how to pronounce Thauvin – from the popular Toe-Van to Too-Van as Steven Taylor pronounced it at St James’ Park on Tuesday night (I’m going with Thor-van). However it is pronounced, Marseille president Vincent Labrune thinks that he is one of the greatest talents of his generation. At first glance, Newcastle have a special talent in the 22-year-old.
His cameo at Man United when he almost nicked the win was followed by a Man of the Match performance at St James’ in the League Cup against Northampton in which he scored one and set up three. Most impressive was his set-piece delivery; an area Newcastle have been crying out for improvements since Yohan Cabaye left, yet now they have a potent attacking dead-ball weapon in the boots of their new number 20.
Arsenal were heavily linked to Thauvin in the past as well as Inter Milan and Chelsea yet it was Newcastle who finally landed their man after intense interest, commitment to signing him and groundwork paid off.
5) Get the 12th man on board
St James’ Park in full voice is a frightening proposition for any opposition and a real asset for the home team.
Not just a Sky Sports superlative, the 12th man effect is a real scientific phenomenon that works. Expert on crowd psychology Dr Daniel Wann of Murray State University states fans feel they have two jobs — disrupting the visiting team and supporting the home team.
“Not only do fans cheer and yell and not only do they do that in an incredibly loud manner…they also believe that cheering has a direct impact on the game. So they cheer, they cheer loud and they cheer for a purpose, to impact the game—and it does impact the game.”
Newcastle United realise the importance of their fans’ backing and on Thursday launched a rousing video across social media showing off the power and presence of St James’ Park. With the crowd behind them, score first and Arsenal will fold like the proverbial pack of cards.
