Match Preview: Newcastle Vs Arsenal (Will the year 2013 end with Gunners top of the league?)

Greetings everyone..i hope your festive period has been good. As for me, im starting to seriously think i might have a good chance of getting on that show ''Man vs food''. Such has been my shameless indulgence these past days. I might need to get the phone number of Kagawa and ask him to hook me up with whoever helped him out with this stomach pump thingy.  Anyway, the action these past few days haven't only been on my dinner table,across the pitches in England things have been hotting up at both ends of the EPL table. Liverpool, Mancity and Arsenal have swapped positions lately at the top of the division remarkably, in what promises to be a four horse race right through to May.

We swatted aside West ham on boxing day, to go back top after Liverpool collected their own share of the Mancity treatment at the Etihad. But as i type this piece early Sunday morning, we sit 2nd on the log as Mancity who played earlier in the day beat Crystal palace to go Top with one game more than Arsenal. What that means is that for us to end the year as league leaders we have to respond big time at St James park later today. Not that ending the year as number one, is of any overt significance..But i feel there's a certain mental and physical boost that comes with being top. You just get the feeling that since you are top,you shouldn't ever let yourself drop down. Everything inside you, wants to maintain that position and consolidate on it. I tell you, with that kind of mindset every one stays switched on, and performance levels stay up across board in my opinion. Newcastle united are the team that stands in our way of kicking Mancity out of our throne at the Top. They seem like a team re-invigorated by something, but what that thing is... i really can't say.

We are going to have to be very careful in this one. They are obviously a lot Tougher than West Ham. And i must say some of the defending we showed against the hammers (especially after we conceded)  will definitely not go unpunished by Newcastle. And here's why:-

Dangermen:

Loic remy- The french international epitomizes the word danger. Quick, Elusive, Clinical and Skilful..and once tipped to become the New Thierry Henry. This guy has it all. One false slip, one momentary lapse of concentration and Bang! Loic will punish you. He proved himself at Qpr last season scoring some really fantastic strikes and i recall at one point i was even silently hoping we go for him in the summer when his parent club got relegated. Koscielny ought to know this guy very well from their time in the national team, which is why i fancy we will see Kos back in the line-up tomorrow for Arsenal. Remy has scored 10 times this season already and will definitely be one to watch.

Yohan Cabaye- Arsenal are not flirting with this guy for nothing. The dude is class.  A midfielder gifted in literally everything a modern midfielder requires. Comfortable on the ball,High pass-accuracy and a long range shooting ability that strikes fear into many EPL keepers. This is one man Arsene Wenger wants in his team and tomorrow we will find out why. Nowhere as prolific as Loic in terms of goals having scored just 5 in the Epl, but he should not be allowed any space to shoot from anywhere near our box.

Yoan Gouffran  Not much is known in terms of antecedents of this chap as he is having what might be described as a breakthrough season with the magpies. However, lately he has shown a level of consistency of performance for his team that has made him hard to ignore. I saw the game they played against Chelsea at home and he impressed me. He operates from the left and has good speed and trickery. Sagna will be saddled with the task of sorting him out so hopefully he has a quiet afternoon.

For Arsenal this game will give the boss a chance to rotate a bit. The permutations i have are that Cazorla and Ozil  will start alongside Flamini and Walcott in the middle. A combination that boasts pace, creativity and power in fine measure. Ramsey misses out due to injury but Jack Wilshere is available to fill in the gap well rested and hopefully  ready to atone for his rather poor judgements in the Mancity game. Podolski being ready to play is a real boost  to the team,due to the fact that he adds something different from the others..ditto for Walcott. 

SZcsesny, Gibbs,Sagna,Mertasacker,Koscielny,Arteta, Flamini, Ozil,Cazorla,Walcott, Giroud. is my possible Lineup..You can share with every one what your possibles are below.

If the general consensus by some clueless pundits is that we cannot be called contenders unless we beat a bigteam..Then i'd like to say we are fine with killing the smaller teams as non contenders whilst the months keep ticking away towards May. It promises to be a cracker, but i feel our quality will overwhelm them...back with a review. C'mon Arsenal