Saturday picks

Im just not picking them at the moment and it looks like im heading for my first month in the minus figures. Doncaster were absolutely rubbish tonight so i was actually considering a clean break this weekend but i decided to stick with it and have another go

Arsenal V Newcastle

It was “only” the carling cup last Wednesday night but make no mistake about it, the 5 – 1 hammering that Arsenal received from Tottenham will not go down well in the Gunners camp. They were outplayed from start to finish and it’s the kind of reminder that some of the players need every now and then.
The FA cup may not be a number one priority for Arsene Wenger but good performances and positive results are needed just to keep the confidence up. During the carling cup game something happened between Adebayor and Bendtner, with the Togo International allegedly headbutting the Dane. There have been several apologies issued since then but the question is, Will it drive the players apart or gel them together even more? There has always been a sense of unity at Arsenal amongst the players which is why the incident was so surprising. I’m of the belief that Wenger is a great man manager and that the players will burst out of the traps tomorrow to set thing right. As I mentioned before I’m not sure that the FA Cup is the biggest concern for Wenger but going out of two cup competitions in five days will be viewed as a disaster. Their recent form has been patchy but the results have still been ok. Last weekend they never hit top gear yet still cruised past Fulham 3 – 0.
At the Emirates this season they have been near unbeatable with 10 wins from 12. 26 goals scored and only 8 conceded is an impressive record and they have scored in every home so far and have only failed to score in one game overall.
Defenders Philippe Senderos and Gael Clichy are available after injuries, but Denilson is out for a month with a hamstring injury. Also unavailable through injury are Johan Djourou (groin) and Robin van Persie (thigh), while Toure, Eboue and Song are on African Cup of Nation’s duty

Newcastle are a team that often frustrate. With the arrival of Kevin Keegan last weekend I was sure they would have enough to overpower Bolton at St James Gate. Instead we were treated to an inept performance which lacked any real creativity or clear-cut chances from the home side. It was a real let down after such a high level of expectation amongst the fans and media. However Keegan has had a week to get reacquainted with the players and get back into the swing of things after his absence from management.
Newcastle are a big club, that I cant deny, but the more I look at their squad the more I think Keegan will have his work cut out for him. Players such as Duff and Owen for example, two class players on their day but sadly that day has passed in my opinion. Both spend more time in the treatment room and there needs to be an injection of fresh young talent if the magpies hope to rise back to the heights that they enjoyed under Keegan’s previous term.
Newcastle’s away form has been poor with only two away wins to their credit. One being against Bolton at a time when the trotters were rooted to the bottom of the premiership and the other victory, a 1 – 0 win at lowly Fulham. Scoring goals has been a weak spot for Newcastle this season with only 1 goals in the last 5 outings and only 27 goals overall.

Newcastle welcome back midfielders Nicky Butt and Alan Smith from suspension, but Emre is still out.

Striker Mark Viduka is doubtful with a calf problem, and Joey Barton has trained this week, but is not expected to be involved. Newcastle are without Martins, Geremi, Beye and Faye who are on duty in Africa.

Verdict
It’s been a strange few days for the Gunners. Expect plenty of changes to the team and a more experienced side to start.
Its time for Keegan to show his worth and start getting some positives back in the performances. However a journey to the Emirates to play a wounded home side may not be the best place to start. Arsenal are still a better team and their passing style should create enough chances to see them through to the next round.
Arsenal to win 2 – 0

PICK
Arsenal -1.25 (2 @ betdirect) 4 points

Im looking at one game for the ACON tomorrow so check back