LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 26: General view inside the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Emirates Stadium on December 26, 2020 in London, England. The match will be played without fans, behind closed doors as a Covid-19 precaution. (Photo by Adrian Dennis - Pool/Getty Images)LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 26: General view inside the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Emirates Stadium on December 26, 2020 in London, England. The match will be played without fans, behind closed doors as a Covid-19 precaution. (Photo by Adrian Dennis - Pool/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 26: General view inside the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Emirates Stadium on December 26, 2020 in London, England. The match will be played without fans, behind closed doors as a Covid-19 precaution. (Photo by Adrian Dennis - Pool/Getty Images)

Liam Kennedy's Newcastle United XI for the FA Cup tie at Arsenal – as six Magpies players are called in from the cold

Newcastle United travel to the Emirates this evening to take on Arsenal in the third round of the FA Cup – and Steve Bruce is expected to ring the changes from the side he last fielded in the Premier League.
By Liam Kennedy
Published 9th Jan 2021, 12:00 BST

While the cup is a priority, will Steve Bruce have one eye on Tuesday night’s top flight trip to winless in 17 Sheffield United – or will he go for broke in North London? Here’s the XI our writer Liam Kennedy would pick tonight (kick-off 5.30pm)...

He's BACK! The Slovak gets the nod in goal after a long-term injury. It would take a remarkable performance, and likely lengthy cup run to dethrone Karl Darlow in the Premier League, mind.

1. Martin Dubravka

He's BACK! The Slovak gets the nod in goal after a long-term injury. It would take a remarkable performance, and likely lengthy cup run to dethrone Karl Darlow in the Premier League, mind. Photo: Stu Forster

Photo Sales
For me, you can toss a coin on deciding whether the Spaniard or DeAndre Yedlin are a better fit at right wing-back, and with the USA international in possession of the slot in the top flight, I'd switch it around for the cup.

2. Javier Manquillo

For me, you can toss a coin on deciding whether the Spaniard or DeAndre Yedlin are a better fit at right wing-back, and with the USA international in possession of the slot in the top flight, I'd switch it around for the cup. Photo: DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS

Photo Sales
The Swede has done little to impress in black and white but with defenders in need of rest, I'd stick him in to play a central role, of which he seems slightly better suited, in a back three. Whether Steve Bruce sticks with this formation is another thing altogether.

3. Emil Krafth

The Swede has done little to impress in black and white but with defenders in need of rest, I'd stick him in to play a central role, of which he seems slightly better suited, in a back three. Whether Steve Bruce sticks with this formation is another thing altogether. Photo: OWEN HUMPHREYS

Photo Sales
My skipper for the day. A tough call between him, Fede Fernandez and Fabian Schar, but due to the latter two's struggles with COVID-19 in the not too distant past, I'd give them a break.

4. Ciaran Clark

My skipper for the day. A tough call between him, Fede Fernandez and Fabian Schar, but due to the latter two's struggles with COVID-19 in the not too distant past, I'd give them a break. Photo: Clive Brunskill

Photo Sales
Previous
1 / 3
Next Page
Related topics:Steve BruceLiam KennedyArsenalMagpies