Thanks.

Martinelli starts and Xhaka remains at left back.

Mass confusion will reign here as people won’t know how to be happy and angry and the same time.

I can't believe that team. Changes all over it's *%^@** ridiculous. If he loses this gamr imo he's toast.

33Ryan
2Bellerín
23David Luiz
6Gabriel
34Xhaka
25Elneny
8Ceballos
12Willian
11Ødegaard
35Martinelli
14Aubameyang

Substitutes
1Leno
7Saka
17Cédric Soares
18Partey
19Pépé
21Chambers
22Marí
30Nketiah
32Smith Rowe
Referee:
Mike Dean

That line up says, and arteta has pretty much confirmed that Lacazette and Tierney won’t be involved on Thursday.
Luiz and Aubameyang to get some extra match fitness.
Still don’t like Xhaka at left back when Cédric is available. Xhaka never gets a rest.
I really hope this doesn’t mean Xhaka at left back and Elneny in midfield v Villarreal in mid week

Sorry Rich I can't agree with you. Almost every selection is a wrong player in the wrong place. If we had been playing 3 games a week I'd understand it but in this case does Leno really need a reast, so he mulls over what he did wrong and his confidence goes to pot. Why is Ceballos on the pitch? Every position cries out crap crap crap.

It’s a completely pointless game. It doesn’t matter.

If he rests he gets stick if he doesn’t he gets accused of neglecting what’s important.

For what’s it’s worth I think that looks a more balanced side personally

To me it looks like he's saying if you don't play well and win you're out. I need an excuse to dump you all.

We can't afdford to lose this game despite what you say. Football is a confidence game and without it we're *%^@**.

I wouldn’t be so sure, I think it could be a sign he will try Tierney and slot Xhaka back in midfield midweek.

I know what you mean but the players he has rested like Saka, Partey and Pépé will be important on Thursday.

It’s just the usual thing. Damned either way

Woooo. Elneny first ever PL goal.

‘Lovely dummy’ by Aubameyang.

Elneny! 1-0

Lovely strike from Elneny. He said he'd been practicing his shooting.

Very good work from Luiz and Bellerin. The passing range and pace are what those two bring.

I think that's enough time

I don't rate Elneny much as a player, but he's clearly very well liked by his teammates judging by the way they celebrate on when he scores

Who’s our best defensive pair ? Gabriel has started well.

Missed the first few mins of game. Missed the goal. Well done Elneny.

Ridiculous booking Xhaka. Here we go

So pointless. Lets see if Arteta has learnt anything. Newcastle should just put Saint-Maximan out on their right wing and just run at him. Xhaka dives in far too often, he might get away with it more in midfield but not when you're in the back 4.

Xhaka needs to be ultra careful and then Arteta should make the sub of Cédric on at half time, give Xhaka a rest and protect the red card - it is Mike Dean afterall!

Tenterhooks now. Just like Ceballos a few days ago. Commentary team already talking about red card coming. And also Xhaka being exposed at left back and likely to dive in.

Nice to see Martinelli dribbling directly at the defender when he gets it. When was the last time we had a player willing to do that?

Aubameyang is back to his old hairdo

Missed that type of player. Pépé tries too. But tends to overdo it.

Surely you can’t make a policy decision to sub players every time one gets a yellow. Xhaka might be an exception though.

One thing Xhaka always does is that if he’s whacked someone and got away with it without the ref blowing he almost feels empowered to commit another foul almost immediately the ref then punishes.

See this often

Ah. Elneny nearly gets a second. Nice effort.

Good shot Xhaka

Just saw it. Nice.

Elneny with a header cleared off the line

Martinelli offering a real threat and keeping Newcastle very busy at the back.

Mass anti glazers protests taking place. United fans on the pitch

Nice

Hope Ceballos gets his goal today

Why him particularly?

Being the game is behind closed doors, the question needs to be asked how they got in?

I like it that Ryan distributes the ball out very quickly and decisively.

Pass - Pass - Pass - Pass - Pass - Pass - Pass - Pass - Pass - Pass - ... Then lose possession.

Ødegaard not offering much today?

A closure for him before he leaves the Premier League.

Because he’s a complete turd of a player and couldn’t score in a brothel ?

We should never sign another player on loan again ever unless it’s a keeper because of an injury crisis.

There’s some going through the motions and acting taking place from not just him and I can’t understand why they let him take that free kick

piss - piss - piss - piss - piss - piss - piss - piss - piss - piss - poor imo

No. I’ve been reflecting on that. He appears to be increasingly ordinary in recent matches. It’s great having talent but it does need to be put into effect.

Hopefully on Thursday.