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Eddie Howe’s pre-match thoughts
[On the rivalry with Arsenal] They’ve been really tight games. I think there are two teams who show a great will to win, pride themselves on detail and tactical plans, so I think they’ve been intriguing games.
[On Newcastle’s shape and flexibility] There are a few different ways we can play – we can change our shape in-running if we need to. You don’t do it to keep people guessing, that’s irrelevant; it’s how we perform on the pitch. We’ve made a few changes but I do think it’s a strong team and we’re looking forward to seeing them gel together.
[In that case, would you like to tell us whether it’s a back three or back four?] You’ll find out in no time!
Mikel Arteta’s pre-match thoughts
[On Eberechi Eze’s inclusion] We’re very happy with what he’s doing so he’s earned the right to start the game.
[On Cristhian Mosquera’s inclusion] Willy [Saliba] is coming back from an ankle injury that he is still trying to resolve. He’s played twice in six days and we have another two games coming up this week so we have to managed the squad.
[On Martin Odegaard, who is on the bench] He’s very keen. He’s trained the last two days and he’s desperate to get on the pitch.
These stadiums and these moments make you a team. The scars, the difficulties and challenges you face, in the end they make you a better team. Hopefully we’ll show that today.
To three or not to three
I thought Newcastle were playing 4-3-3 but Sky have their formation as 3-4-2-1 with Jacob Murphy at right wing-back. That system was very effective against Arsenal in the Carabao Cup semi-final last season.
Newcastle (3-4-2-1) Pope; Thiaw, Botman, Burn; Murphy, Bruno, Tonali, Livramento; Gordon, Joelinton; Woltemade.
This is how the Premier League table looks after that Villa result.
Premier League result: Aston Villa 3-1 Fulham
The Newcastle view
“Things were looking promising,” writes Chris Paraskevas. “We had just won a trophy. The wild magpies that I’ve adopted as pets (nickamed Big ‘Al and Eddie) were literally eating out of my hand. Newcastle had a recognised striker.
“Then the other bloke left. And of the two replacement strikers we purchased, one is crocked and the other one isn’t really a striker, apparently.
“And now the magpies think I’m some sort of threat owing to a recent misunderstanding with the dog (see: Bournemouth MBM). I checked the backyard today and they were circling, ready to swoop.
“So if Mikel Arteta thinks he has problems then I’d like to see him survive an Australian spring with a nest of pi$$ed-off, pumped-up, swoop-ready magpies nearby.”
The Newcastle front six today looks really strong to admittedly dead eyes, so I wouldn’t be too worried about them despite the frustrations of PSR and the Swedish striker.
I’m less confident your magpie dispute will have a happy ending. Those buggers can’t be reasoned with.
‘I would love it’, etc.
Read Jonathan Wilson on Newcastle
Note to trolls, keyboard warriors and Messrs Angry: I did not write this piece, nor have I read it.
Newcastle team news
Eddie Howe also makes three changes from the last league game, a goalless draw at Bournemouth in Newcastle’s case. Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton and Anthony Gordon – who all played against Bradford in the Carabao Cup in midweek – start ahead of the Lewises, Hall and Miley, and Joe Willock.
Newcastle (4-3-3) Pope; Livramento, Thiaw, Botman, Burn; Bruno, Tonali, Joelinton; Murphy, Woltemade, Gordon.
Substitutes: Ramsdale, Trippier, Lascelles, Barnes, Krafth, Osula, Elanga, Willock, Miley.
Arsenal team news
The handbrake is off! Ish. Eberechi Eze replaces Mikel Merino in the Arsenal midfield, one of three changes from the notorious Emirates XI that started against Manchester City. Bukayo Saka starts in place cof the injured Noni Madueke. The other change is at the back, where Cristhian Mosquera replaces William Saliba. You’d imagine that’s injury-related, though Saliba is on the bench.
Arsenal (4-3-3) Raya; Timber, Mosquera, Gabriel, Calafiori; Eze, Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Gyokeres, Trossard.
Substitutes: Arrizabalaga, Saliba, Lewis-Skelly, White, Odegaard, Norgaard, Merino, Martinelli, Dowman.
Preamble
Hello and welcome to Handbrake Watch, a new series in which the Guardian’s finest minds we assess and judge Mikel Arteta’s tactical approach. Arteta, whose Arsenal side visit Newcastle today, was heavily criticised for picking a cautious XI against Manchester City last week. He added more grist to the news cycle by rejecting those criticisms, so there will be plenty of scrutiny on his XI today. Maybe even the football itself?!?!?!
Yesterday’s results have taken some of the focus away from Arteta and Arsenal – partly because other managers are back in the doghouse, mainly because Crystal Palace, lovely, life-affirming Crystal Palace, beat Liverpool at Selhurst Park. Arsenal will jump from seventh to to second, two points behind Liverpool, if they win today.
Not that it’ll be easy. They’ve lost their last three games at St James’ Park without scoring, and few things invigorate the Newcastle crowd quite like a visit from Arsenal. Newcastle’s need for a win is just as great. They are 15th after a largely quiet start to the season – on the field, if not off it.
If recent games between Newcastle and Arsenal are a guide, this won’t be high-scoring. But it’ll be eventful, probably a bit spiteful, and there’s a chance one of the managers will be spewing come 7pm.
Kick off 4.30pm.
