OPINION
Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez would be wise to hand fringe player Yoshinori Muto a start against Arsenal on Monday night.
The Japan international hasn’t started for the Magpies since December, but it would be good for Benitez to opt for the attacker against the Gunners amid the uncertainty surrounding Ayoze Perez. It’s for that reason that Muto must get the nod.
Benitez should also give Federico Fernandez and Mohamed Diame the boot for this game. Jamaal Lascelles and Jonjo Shelvey are much better choices to start against Unai Emery’s side.
Those three changes are the only ones the former Liverpool boss needs to make here, and should give his team a decent chance of upsetting Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
Martin Dubravka seems to be back to his best after a few high profile mistakes in recent months and should continue in goal as a result. DeAndre Yedlin and Matt Ritchie, meanwhile, are obvious choices to start in the wing back roles.
A three man backline containing Lascelles, Florian Lejeune and Paul Dummett would give the Magpies the best chance of success on Monday. The Englishman has recovered from a knock and should be fit to start here.
In central midfield, Shelvey must get the nod over Diame, as mentioned. The England international’s passing ability is needed if Benitez’s team are to get any sort of a foothold in the game. Isaac Hayden also deserves to start.
Up top, Muto and club record signing Miguel Almiron would be good choices to play in support of star striker Salomon Rondon, who will be confident of upsetting the Gunners backline.
