Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Newcastle vs Arsenal: Gabriel Paulista set for big test as Olivier Giroud attempts to maintain goalscoring streak against Magpies

A look ahead to the Premier League fixture at St James' Park

Saturday 29 August 2015 11:07 BST

Olivier Giroud celebrates scoring for Arsenal against Newcastle (Getty Images)

It's a big game for…

Gabreil Paulista: Likely to be paired with Calum Chambers once again, Gabriel must improve upon the shaky performance he and Chambers produced against Liverpool on Monday night.

Petr Cech was on hand to rescue them on that occasion, but if the Spaniard wants to secure a starting place in this Arsenal team and dislodge either Per Mertesacker or Laurent Koscielny, he needs a display like opposite number Fabricio Coloccini produced against Manchester United.

Best stat…

8: Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud has eight goals in just six games against Newcastle, and scored twice in both league fixtures the two teams played last season.

Arsenal 0 Liverpool 0 player ratings

Show all 22

1/22Arsenal 0 Liverpool 0 player ratings

Arsenal 0 Liverpool 0 player ratings

Petr Cech

His best game in an Arsenal shirt. His heroics somehow denied Christian Benteke in the first half when the Liverpool man looked certain to score from close range. 8

GETTY IMAGES

Arsenal 0 Liverpool 0 player ratings

Hector Bellerin

Has made the right-back position his own. 7

GETTY IMAGES

Arsenal 0 Liverpool 0 player ratings

Calum Chambers

Looked all over the place in the first half but did improve after the break. 6

GETTY IMAGES

Arsenal 0 Liverpool 0 player ratings

Gabriel

Had a difficult evening against Christian Benteke as Arsenal missed Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny. Headed over in the dying seconds. 5

GETTY IMAGES

Arsenal 0 Liverpool 0 player ratings

Nacho Monreal

Arsenal never looked comfortable at the back and Monreal was caught out a few times. 6

GETTY IMAGES

Arsenal 0 Liverpool 0 player ratings

Francis Coquelin

Plays an important role shielding the back four but not a player who is going to unlock a defence in a tight match like this. 6

GETTY IMAGES

Arsenal 0 Liverpool 0 player ratings

Santi Cazorla

Looked most likely to unlock the Liverpool defence. 8

GETTY IMAGES

Arsenal 0 Liverpool 0 player ratings

Aaron Ramsey

Had a goal wrongly disallowed in the first half when replays suggested he was onside and had a curling effort saved by Simon Mignolet in the second half. 7

GETTY IMAGES

Arsenal 0 Liverpool 0 player ratings

Mesut Ozil

Quiet. Did not have enough influence on the game. 5

GETTY IMAGES

Arsenal 0 Liverpool 0 player ratings

Alexis Sanchez

Missed Arsenal's the best chance of the game when he hit the post from close range in the second half. 6

GETTY IMAGES

Arsenal 0 Liverpool 0 player ratings

Olivier Giroud

A peripheral figure before being replaced by Theo Walcott with 20 minutes to go. 5

GETTY IMAGES

Arsenal 0 Liverpool 0 player ratings

Simon Mignolet

Saved brilliantly form Olivier Giroud and then denied Aaron Ramsey's curling effort with Arsenal pushing for a winner in the second half. Booked for time wasting as Liverpool settled for a point. 8

GETTY IMAGES

Arsenal 0 Liverpool 0 player ratings

Nathaniel Clyne

Looked dangerous when he went forward down the right and was solid going to the other way. 7

GETTY IMAGES

Arsenal 0 Liverpool 0 player ratings

Martin Skrtel

Put in a brilliant defensive display as Liverpool frustrated Arsenal. 8

GETTY IMAGES

Arsenal 0 Liverpool 0 player ratings

Dejan Lovren

Has had his fair share of criticism but did well here. 7

GETTY IMAGES

Arsenal 0 Liverpool 0 player ratings

Joe Gomez

The former Charlton defender has made an excellent start to life in the Premier League and impressed again. Looks a real talent. 8

Arsenal 0 Liverpool 0 player ratings

James Milner

Captained Liverpool in the absence of Jordan Henderson and did well. 7

GETTY IMAGES

Arsenal 0 Liverpool 0 player ratings

Emre Can

Struggled in midfield and was booked. 5

GETTY IMAGES

Arsenal 0 Liverpool 0 player ratings

Lucas Leiva

Did well considering it was his first game of the season but tired as the game wore on before being replaced midway through the second half. 6

GETTY IMAGES

Arsenal 0 Liverpool 0 player ratings

Roberto Firmino

A quiet night for the £21m signing from Hoffenheim on his first Liverpool start. 6

GETTY IMAGES

Arsenal 0 Liverpool 0 player ratings

Philippe Coutinho

Came closest for Liverpool when his curling shot hit the post. 7

GETTY IMAGES

Arsenal 0 Liverpool 0 player ratings

Christian Benteke

Caused Arsenal problems with his physical presence all evening. 7

GETTY IMAGES

Remember when…

One of the greatest comebacks in Premier League history took place in 2011; Newcastle were dead and buried at 4-0 down at half time. What followed was pretty spectacular. Of course you remember this one.

Player to watch…

Fabricio Coloccini: Many were sceptical when Newcastle’s Argentine captain was given a fresh contract with the club earlier this month. At the age of 33, Coloccini is nearing the end of his career, but you wouldn’t have guessed it last weekend. Towering headers, tough tackles and heroic blocks kept Manchester United at bay in the Magpies’ last fixture, and he’ll be looking to repeat that performance against Arsenal.

Past three-meetings…

Newcastle 1 (Sissoko) Arsenal 2 (Giroud 2), Premier League, March 2015

Arsenal 4 (Giroud 2, Cazorla 2) Newcastle 1 (Perez), Premier League, December 2014

Arsenal 3 (Koscielny, Ozil, Giroud) Newcastle 0, Premier League, April 2014

Form guide…

Newcastle: LWDLDW

Arsenal: WWWLWD

Vital information…

Kick-off: 12.45pm

TV: Live on BT Sport, highlights on BBC1

The Independent has launched a new football app! Live scores, in-game stats, breaking news, videos and push notifications are just some of the many features. Use the links below to download and get more from Indy Football...

iPhone
http://ind.pn/iphonefootball

iPad
http://ind.pn/ipadfootball

Android
http://ind.pn/androidfootball

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies