An FA Cup run is essential for Arsenal to rescue a terrible season

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

An FA Cup run is essential for Arsenal to rescue a terrible year and Mikel Arteta needs to put out a full-strength team against Newcastle

By Adam Le Roux

This weekend’s FA Cup clash with Newcastle isn’t a time for Joe Willock or Reiss Nelson. We don’t want to see Cedric Soares at the back. The strongest team possible must be put out to ensure a victory over the Magpies. 

In a lacklustre season to date, Mikel Arteta has used the cup competitions to field some of the bit-part players in the Arsenal dressing room, but now is not the time to be putting out a second-string team. 

There has been very little to be excited about around the Emirates in the past few months, with winless runs and baron streaks and fallouts and all other manner of things going on, so a cup run is exactly what Arsenal fans need to get them going again. 

We saw just how much a trophy can raise spirits at the end of last season, as the Gunners lifted the prestigious silverware for a record 14th time and ended the campaign on a high, which is exactly what is needed this time around. 

Arteta must respect Toon test 


As draws go, a home tie against Newcastle is far from ideal to get the cup run started this weekend, with Steve Bruce’s side an awkward customer to come up against when they are on their game - just ask Liverpool. 

With that in mind, it is imperative that Arteta doesn’t take his eye off the ball for the visit of the Toon, because that’s when the Black and Whites can hurt you. 

Callum Wilson and Joelinton will be well up for a physical battle when they make the journey down from the northeast on Saturday, and Bruce is no stranger to setting his side up to frustrate the opposition - a tactic that worked so well when Jurgen Klopp’s side visited St James Park in December. 

After working tirelessly to generate some momentum within the Arsenal camp, it would be foolish to throw that away with a below-par performance against the Magpies, the Gunners have to have it in their mind that they want to win every game they feature in, whether that be in the league, the cup, or in Europe. 

After three consecutive successes in the Premier League, Arteta is finally finding the winning formula as we start the new year, and with Crystal Palace coming up in midweek before league clash with Newcastle next Monday, the Arsenal juggernaut could really start to roll by the time they host Manchester United at the end of the month. 

Mikel Arteta

Let’s not beat around the bush here, a respectable finish in the Premier League is the main aim this season, because despite the sticky period Arsenal found themselves in, a European spot for the next campaign isn’t out of reach. 

But with that in mind, there is nothing quite like a cup win to change the tone of a mediocre season, as Arsenal fans seem to be all too familiar with of late. 

But this season tops the lot so far, so another trip to Wembley to lift the old trophy would go someway to righting the wrongs of earlier in the season. 

And secondly, if the predicted rise up the table during 2021 doesn’t go how we all imagine, there is still the prospect of European qualification if Arsenal keep hold of their title and emerge victorious once again.  

After securing his first piece of silverware as Gunners boss in the competition last season, Arteta is well aware of how important a trophy is for his side this season. 

“I think we are doing something good in the country that every competition is becoming more important,” the Spaniard said. 

“You see for example the Carabao Cup the teams that were involved in the finals and semi-finals compared to the last eight, ten years and it’s improved. 

“Because everybody wants to win a trophy, everybody knows how difficult is it to win a trophy. So you have to stick to every competition and that is raising the level certainly. 

“We’re gonna go after every competition. We are the holders we have to defend that title. We know what it means for the football club and the history that is related to the FA Cup. It’s a great competition to play for us.” 

Martinelli can make mincemeat of the Magpies 


That said, Mikel Arteta may well be tempted to make a switch at the business end of the pitch on Saturday, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s woes in front of goal continuing. 

It is now just three goals in 15 Premier League appearances so far this campaign for the Gabonese striker, who’s poor form has contributed to the Gunners’ misfortune this season. 

It has come down to the 31-year-old’s teammates to get on the scoresheet in the victories over Chelsea, Brighton and West Brom, with Alexandre Lacazette notching four times in those three games, as well as a couple from Bukayo Saka. 

Gabriel Martinelli

There comes a time when a player can be more of a hindrance than a help in the team, and despite all of his former glory, sometimes you have to point the finger at the former Borussia Dortmund man for not taking his chances. 

Therefore, with ample options to fill in the spot in the front three, Arteta may opt for Gabriel Martinelli, as the Brazilian continues to get back to full fitness after a lengthy injury layoff. 

He may not have found the scoresheet yet, but the teenager continues to produce the types of performances that earned him plaudits last season, with his flamboyance and boundless energy causing a real handful for opposing defenders. 

And this would be the perfect opportunity to give him more game time, with the Newcastle defence looking edgy when attackers start to give them the runaround, as Martinelli is so prone to doing. 

But the fact of the matter is whoever goes out on the pitch on Saturday, this is a win-at-all-costs game. Slowly but surely the tide is starting to shift at the Emirates and the mood is lifting, let’s not have any more reasons to feel glum again anytime soon.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

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