Liam Kennedy’s Newcastle United XI at Arsenal - with THREE key changes

Liam Kennedy
By Liam Kennedy

Editor of NewcastleWorld

Published 26th Nov 2021, 20:34 GMT
Updated 27th Nov 2021, 08:00 GMT
Getty Images
Liam Kennedy has picked his Newcastle United team to face Arsenal - and he’s thrown in some surprise selections.

With Eddie Howe back in the dugout will Newcastle United finally break their Premier League duck?

Well, Arsenal stand in their way, and the Gunners have demons of their own. They’ll be keen to erase all memory of their 4-0 hammering against Liverpool last weekend.

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A promising (ish) start in Howe’s absence last week saw United notch a 3-3 draw with Brentford, but it was not the elusive three points all Geordies are craving.

Here Liam Kennedy takes a look at the team he thinks has the best chance of securing an Emirates win.

Goalkeeper: Martin Dubravka

He might not be 100% match fit, but surely now is the time for the Slovakian international to return?He might not be 100% match fit, but surely now is the time for the Slovakian international to return?
He might not be 100% match fit, but surely now is the time for the Slovakian international to return? | Getty Images

Right centre-back: Fabian Schar

Get his mind right, and tighten up the team around him - Schar can be a star in this United backline. Very much looked like a player who’d barely played a game in 12 months last time out. Get his mind right, and tighten up the team around him - Schar can be a star in this United backline. Very much looked like a player who’d barely played a game in 12 months last time out.
Get his mind right, and tighten up the team around him - Schar can be a star in this United backline. Very much looked like a player who’d barely played a game in 12 months last time out. | Getty Images

Centre-back: Federico Fernandez

Inexplicably left out of the matchday squad by Graeme Jones, he needs to return - and pronto.Inexplicably left out of the matchday squad by Graeme Jones, he needs to return - and pronto.
Inexplicably left out of the matchday squad by Graeme Jones, he needs to return - and pronto. | Getty Images

Left centre-back: Ciaran Clark

Best of a bad bunch defensively? It’s hard to tell when a lot of the worst defending comes from that left-hand side. Never has a team needed a Paul Dummett so badly.Best of a bad bunch defensively? It’s hard to tell when a lot of the worst defending comes from that left-hand side. Never has a team needed a Paul Dummett so badly.
Best of a bad bunch defensively? It’s hard to tell when a lot of the worst defending comes from that left-hand side. Never has a team needed a Paul Dummett so badly. | Getty Images

Right wing-back: Javier Manquillo

This was a tough call, mostly because Manquillo has proven not up to scratch as recently as a few weeks back. But Jacob Murphy has little to no clue how to defend.This was a tough call, mostly because Manquillo has proven not up to scratch as recently as a few weeks back. But Jacob Murphy has little to no clue how to defend.
This was a tough call, mostly because Manquillo has proven not up to scratch as recently as a few weeks back. But Jacob Murphy has little to no clue how to defend. | Getty Images

Central midfield: Jonjo Shelvey

Eddie Howe has talked Shelvey up - and he will find out himself whether he can get a tune out of a player who blows hot and mostly cold at United.Eddie Howe has talked Shelvey up - and he will find out himself whether he can get a tune out of a player who blows hot and mostly cold at United.
Eddie Howe has talked Shelvey up - and he will find out himself whether he can get a tune out of a player who blows hot and mostly cold at United. | Getty Images

Central midfield: Joe Willock

We saw flashes of the Willock of old with his breaks forward last weekend. Hasn’t been the same player since coming back, but signs of the link up with ASM were there again against the Bees.We saw flashes of the Willock of old with his breaks forward last weekend. Hasn’t been the same player since coming back, but signs of the link up with ASM were there again against the Bees.
We saw flashes of the Willock of old with his breaks forward last weekend. Hasn’t been the same player since coming back, but signs of the link up with ASM were there again against the Bees. | Getty Images

Left wing-back: Matt Ritchie

At left-back feels like a bit of a square peg in a round hole, but with cover in front of him and a more disciplined system, might just get away with it.At left-back feels like a bit of a square peg in a round hole, but with cover in front of him and a more disciplined system, might just get away with it.
At left-back feels like a bit of a square peg in a round hole, but with cover in front of him and a more disciplined system, might just get away with it. | Getty Images

Right forward: Joelinton

Forward: Callum Wilson

Left forward: Allan Saint-Maximin

Related topics:Liam KennedyArsenalEddie HowePremier League

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