Joelinton looks set to keep his place in the Newcastle United side for Saturday’s trip to Arsenal, according to The Chronicle.
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Head coach Eddie Howe is understood to have been impressed by the Brazilian’s physical stats and duly started him against Brentford on Saturday. While the 25-year-old did lose his footing in the dying embers when he seemed set to score, the level of his overall performance was particularly impressive.
As a result, the former Hoffenheim forward is reportedly likely to continue in his role alongside Allan Saint-Maximin and Callum Wilson for Saturday’s early kick-off at the Emirates Stadium.
How impressive was Joelinton against Brentford?
Looking at the FBREF statistics from the game, no Newcastle player made more pressing attempts (20) and only Saint-Maximin completed more progressive carries (38).
Up front, no one had more touches than Joelinton (61) and, operating wide of Wilson, he finally looked comfortable playing in a coherent front three. Featuring heavily from an attacking sense, scoring and also working hard to put pressure on the opposition, it was very nearly the complete performance.
Perhaps, then, Newcastle have an ace in the hole. If more can be brought out of Joelinton, it’s pretty much a bonus at this point after a difficult time of things on Tyneside so far. Clearly, it’s important not to overstate things after one impressive performance, but the early signs of his life under Howe are promising.
What has been said about Joelinton?
Speaking to Football Insider recently, pundit Gabby Agbonlahor suggested Joelinton still had an awful lot to prove.
“Steve Bruce gave him loads of chances to prove himself.
“I don’t believe in that nonsense, he was given chances under Steve Bruce and he could not score.
“It was a good goal that he scored at the weekend but he’s got to keep doing it. Can he score two in two? Can he score three in three? That’s what you want to see given the money Newcastle paid for him.
“They definitely need more out of him.”
