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| Arsene Wenger |
See More Newcastle has only 13 fit players for Arsenal clash !!
The Gunners have an excellent record at St James's Park but the manager expects a difficult task against a team with little to lose in the remainder of the season
Arsene Wenger has called on Arsenal to "move on" from their European exit when they travel to Newcastle in the Premier League on Saturday.
A 2-0 victory at Monaco on Tuesday saw Wenger's side eliminated on away goals in the last 16 of the Champions League.
Arsenal return to league action at St James's Park, where they have not lost since December 2005 and sealed 1-0 victories on their last two visits. A happy hunting ground could be just what they need to banish their midweek disappointment as the manager looks to ward off the attentions of Manchester United and Liverpool in the scramble for a top-four finish.
"We have good memories at Newcastle but they are always very tight, very difficult games," Wenger told reporters. "They are in a position where they are not under threat to go down.
"They always have a very motivated crowd and they always play well against us, which makes it a tight game."
With nine games remaining, the Gunners trail leaders Chelsea by seven points but the teams below them are arguably more of a concern, with Southampton and Tottenham also in contention with United and Liverpool.
The task facing Newcastle, therefore, is a daunting one and that is added to by the fact that they have lost their last six encounters with Arsenal and are struggling with injuries and suspensions.
John Carver revealed on Thursday that he only has 13 fit senior outfield players for this game, meaning that his substitutes' bench will have a youthful look to it.
However, the Newcastle boss is wary of starting some of his less experienced players against a side challenging at the top of the table.
"Saturday is not the environment for young lads, especially against an in-form Arsenal side," he said. "It's not the right time for them.
"Arsenal are a good footballing side who like to play so we have to be patient but we have one or two things up our sleeve."
Like Arsenal, Newcastle are coming into the game following disappointment, a 3-0 defeat to Everton last time out coming as their second successive loss in the league and leaving them with just two wins since the turn of the year.
Fabricio Coloccini was sent off in that game at Goodison Park and begins a three-match ban, adding to Carver's woes, with Papiss Cisse also suspended following a spitting incident with Manchester United's Jonny Evans earlier in March.
Arsenal could welcome back Tomas Rosicky for the trip north but Wenger confirmed that it will come too soon for Mathieu Debuchy (shoulder), Mikel Arteta and Jack Wilshere (both ankle).
Opta Facts
Arsenal are unbeaten in the last eight Barclays Premier League games against Newcastle, winning the last six in a row.
The Gunners are the only team ever to not win a Premier League game after being 4-0 up at half-time, when they drew 4-4 with Newcastle at St James Park in February 2011.
Newcastle have failed to score in their last three Premier League home matches against the Gunners.
Olivier Giroud has netted six goals in five Premier League appearances against the Magpies.
Source GOAL.com
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