Arsenal vs. Newcastle United Preview

Saturday evening’s game in the Premier League sees Arsenal welcome Newcastle United to the Emirates Stadium.

Three straight league wins have catapulted the Gunners right back into contention for a Champions League qualification place and victory here could lift them to fourth if other results fall in their favour.

Olivier Giroud and Tomas Rosicky are set to return to the starting line-up following illness, though the game comes to soon for Andre Santos and Abou Diaby, who are expected to return to full training next week.

Top scorer Theo Walcott is joint favourite with Giroud to get the first goal of the game, with 6.0 (5/1) the best price on offer.

Arsenal are odds on for the victory with Paddy Power offering 1.5 (1/2). Newcastle are generously available at 8.5 (15/2) with Bet Victor, who also offer 4.8 (19/5).

The visitor’s last minute defeat at Old Trafford on Boxing Day was their seventh loss in nine games, and leaves them just five points clear of the relegation zone.

Alan Pardew has to contend with injuries to several key players including Jonas Gutierrez, Hatem Ben Arfa and Yohan Cabaye, though Check Tiote is available after serving a one match ban. Mike Williamson will miss out after collecting a fifth booking of the campaign last time out.

Top scorer Demba Ba, who has been strongly linked with a move to the Emirates ahead of the transfer window opening on Tuesday is an 11.0 (10/1) shot to score first, whilst Papiss Cisse is available at 13.0 (12/1) with Bet Victor.

SCOUTS OVER AT AZ

The AZ Alkmaar sporting director Earnest Stewart has revealed that a number of scouts from top European clubs have come and watched the striker Jozy Altidore play for the club this season. Jozy Altidore has been one of the standout performers for AZ Alkmaar this season. He has already scored 12 goals for the club, which has been the only bright point for the club in an otherwise poor season. They are currently in the ninth position having won just one match of the last five. Even with this poor performance on the pitch, a lot of scouts from European clubs like Chelsea, Bayern Munich, and Real Madrid have been watching them play according to the sporting director.

He has said that it could be for only one reason – watching the US international Jozy Altidore. Jozy Altidore has been one of the much travelled strikers, but he finally seems to have come of age in recent seasons. Stewart has also confirmed that the club has received a huge offer from an Eastern European club, but has failed to reveal whether they will accept the bid or not. He has also said that the player is very much keen on remaining with the Dutch club for now because he has travelled a lot in recent seasons.

“I can confirm that there was a bid for Jozy from a wealthy club from Eastern Europe. The bid was received at a very late moment, therefore we couldn’t sign an adequate replacement. For us, it wasn’t interesting. Also, Jozy was keen to stay at AZ. After years of travelling, he has really found a home. He doesn’t want to just leave the club,” said the sporting director of the club. AZ are expected to demand at least above £ 10 million for the striker.