Premier League: Arsenal look for top-four finish at Newcastle
By Graeme Bailey - Tweet me: @graemebailey. Last Updated: May 17, 2013 4:07pm
Arsene Wenger: Looking for top-four finish
Arsenal travel to Newcastle United on the final day of the season knowing that victory will guarantee them a place in the top-four and prized Champions League slot.
The Gunners could also still finish in third, but their main target is to fend off arch-rivals Tottenham, who are currently a point behind in fifth.
Live on Sky Sports
-
vs
Newcastle v Arsenal
- May 19, 2013 3:00pm
Arsenal need only to match Spurs' result against Sunderland to confirm their place, but any slip-ups at St James' Park could see their north London rivals take advantage.
If Arsenal do win, then their attention will turn to Chelsea's clash with Everton, as the Premier League have confirmed that there will be a third-place play-off if the pair end the season with identical records.
Going into the final set of games, Chelsea are two points ahead, have a goal difference advantage of one over Arsenal rivals and have scored two more goals.
A 0-0 draw for Chelsea and a 2-1 win for Arsenal would put them level on all three criteria, with the same applying for a 1-1 Chelsea draw and a 3-2 Arsenal win, and so on.
The play-off winner would automatically reach the Champions League group stage, with the team finishing fourth facing a qualifying contest.
However, Arsenal's first aim will be the three points in the North East and Newcastle have only beaten them once in their last 14 meetings, although the Gunners have not won a league match on Tyneside since 2009.
Newcastle come into the match with only pride to play for, but depending on results elsewhere they could finish as high as 10th or even as low as 17th.
Newcastle
Newcastle midfielder Cheikh Tiote was forced off in the win over QPR with a hamstring problem, but is expected to start.
Moussa Sissoko, striker Shola Ameobi and defender Ryan Taylor are all out with knee problems.
Davide Santon (hamstring), Steven Taylor (illness) and Massadio Haidara (hamstring) could all return to bolster their defence.
Goalkeeper Steve Harper, who has been with the club since 1993, will play his last game for the club at St James' Park as Tim Krul is injured and Rob Elliot is suspended.
Arsenal
Arsenal have a major doubt over midfielder Mikel Arteta (calf) for the game at Newcastle.
That means England international Jack Wilshere, set to have an operation on his troublesome ankle next week, is on stand-by should he deemed fit enough to start and play on painkillers.
Striker Olivier Giroud returns from a three-match suspension and could be set to start the match.
Midfielder Abou Diaby (knee) is a long-term absentee.
OPTA FACTS
- Newcastle lost their previous game this season against Arsenal 3-7; the only time that they have conceded seven goals in a Premier League match.
- Newcastle have failed to score in two successive Premier League home games. They last failed to score in three in a row back in August 2007 (six games).
- Santi Cazorla assisted four goals in Arsenal's midweek win over Wigan, becoming only the fourth player to do this in a Premier League game in the last 10 seasons.
Previous game's starting line-ups
4-3-3
-
21
Elliot
-
26
Debuchy
-
2
Coloccini
-
6
Williamson
-
13
Yanga-Mbiwa
-
4
Cabaye
-
24
Tiote
-
18
Gutierrez
-
10
Ben Arfa
-
9
Cisse
-
11
Gouffran
Team taken from Newcastle vs QPR (Barclays Premier League) on Sunday 12th May 2013
4-2-3-1
-
1
Szczesny
-
3
Sagna
-
4
Mertesacker
-
6
Koscielny
-
28
Gibbs
-
16
Ramsey
-
8
Arteta
-
14
Walcott
-
7
Rosicky
-
19
Cazorla
-
9
Podolski
Team taken from Arsenal vs Wigan (Barclays Premier League) on Tuesday 14th May 2013
LIVE and exclusive on Sky Sports
Latest Poll
Matches
-
Barclays Premier League
Table
Barclays Premier League
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manchester United | 37 | 88 |
| 2 | Manchester City | 37 | 78 |
| 3 | Chelsea | 37 | 72 |
| 4 | Arsenal | 37 | 70 |
| 5 | Tottenham Hotspur | 37 | 69 |
| 6 | Everton | 37 | 63 |
| 7 | Liverpool | 37 | 58 |
| 8 | West Bromwich Albion | 37 | 48 |
| 9 | Swansea City | 37 | 46 |
| 10 | West Ham United | 37 | 43 |
| 11 | Stoke City | 37 | 41 |
| 12 | Norwich City | 37 | 41 |
| 13 | Newcastle United | 37 | 41 |
| 14 | Southampton | 37 | 40 |
| 15 | Fulham | 37 | 40 |
| 16 | Aston Villa | 37 | 40 |
| 17 | Sunderland | 37 | 39 |
| 18 | Wigan Athletic | 37 | 35 |
| 19 | Reading | 37 | 28 |
| 20 | Queens Park Rangers | 37 | 25 |
Related
Newcastle v Arsenal
Wenger fancies a play-off
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says he would "fancy" a play-off for Champions League qualification with Chelsea.
Mertesacker staying at Arsenal
Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker says that he is an 'integral part of the team' and that he will remain at the club.
Podolski: We must qualify
Striker Lukas Podolski says he doesn't mind who fires Arsenal into the UEFA Champions League as long as they get there.
