Newcastle United (A)

This is my first post in a while and after a bumpy spell against Everton, City and Chelsea we bounced back nicely against West Ham on Boxing Day and due to Liverpools defeat at City we returned to the top of the table after a few days off it only to be knocked off it today by City. 

It was a solid performance against West Ham aside from maybe not taking more chances. Cazorla was brilliant and was unlucky not to nick a goal. Walcott and Podolski also played well and it was great to see both on the score sheet. Hopefully we can kick on from this and continue in our current vain.

With Chelsea taking on Liverpool tomorrow we have to chance to make up a few points on them at least and if we were to win we'd leapfrog City into top spot. However we travel to Newcastle where last season aside we don't have a fantastic recent record. Along with that Newcastle have been playing well recently and it won't be an easy match. Taking 3 points would be a huge result as the fixtures bunch up now and this is second match we have in 10 days.

The bad news coming out of the camp is that Aaron Ramsey is out for the rest of the Christmas period with a thigh strain. It is hopeful Koscielny will be back after a minor issue but I think Vermealen has stepped in well when needed so I'm not too concerned about that. I think the boss will rotate in the middle but I'm not sure how. We have the options and unless fatigue is a problem I think Cazorla will retain his place. Podolski gives us an option from the bench and Walcott should start.

Newcastle have Tiote back after a spell out and we all know what he can do when he feels the moment. Ben-Arfa is also back despite only appearing from the bench in their last outing I have a feeling he'll start against us. Remy and Ameobi make up their strike force. We all know that this team can do some damage but only if we let them play. If we shut them out and get an early goal there is no reason why we shouldn't go on to win it. I can't see it being that straight forward myself but who knows.

This is a vital game in this busy period and they are a team in form so it won't be easy but if we play like we can, we can get a result. COYG! 

Hull City (H)

Well after our brief blip against United we're back on track with wins in both the Champions League and the Premier League. Tomorrow we're back in action against Hull City and the early news is that Bacary Sagna has a tight hamstring so will not take part. Arsene Wenger said beforehand that he was going to rotate but I don't think full backs were quite what he had in mind. 

With that in mind Carl Jenkinson will step in to cover and hopefully he'll play a bit better than his last outing against Chelsea. I think we may see starts for Walcott and Flamini after coming on from the bench at the weekend. Ozil may also start on the bench with Cazorla sitting behind Giroud. 

I don't really care about Hull team news because I know nothing about them. What I do know is they'll be flying high after beating Liverpool at the weekend so could be dangerous. They have experimented with different combinations in defence this season but I don't think they'll play with a 3 man back line against us. If they do Walcott will have his chance to wreck havoc.

This game offers he chance to rotate and rest ahead of a tricky string of matches against Everton, Napoli, City and Chelsea in that order. Those 4 games could determine our season, we sit 4 points clear at the top but playing those three along with a game where we need something in Naples could leave us playing catch up.

Looking at those fixtures 3 points in this game will keep us top with our lead and could prove vital following this tricky period we have on the horizon. COYG!