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).
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