Eddie Howe has a midfield headache ahead of Newcastle United’s Premier League clash with Arsenal.
In recent weeks, Eddie Howe has played Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton together as a midfield three. They are Newcastle United’s three star names, but Howe has admitted that they could play better together.
Something has not been clicking, while Sean Longstaff and Joe Willock wait in reserve.
They both played brilliantly well during Newcastle’s 2-0 win over Chelsea in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night. Meanwhile, Sandro Tonali thrived in a different position.
The 24-year-old was asked to play as the ‘six’, which is normally Bruno Guimaraes’ position. He was outstanding in that role, with Tonali having his best Newcastle game ever.
What Eddie Howe has said about Sandro Tonali’s performance vs Chelsea
The £55million midfielder looked much more comfortable as Newcastle’s number six, and Eddie Howe has said during his pre-match press conference that he was really pleased with Tonali’s performance.
“He [Tonali] covered a lot of ground on Wednesday,” he said.
“I thought he did incredibly well. I was really pleased with his performance. He played with discipline. He brought a calmness to our midfield. He always uses the ball well, I think that goes without saying.
“The intricacies of the position he got spot on, so I was really pleased.”
Eddie Howe is asked important question about Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes
Tonali’s display against Chelsea raises questions over whether he should be the middle midfielder for Newcastle moving forwards, rather than Bruno.
Howe was asked about this ahead of the game against Arsenal, with a lot of fans eager to see Tonali remain in that position and Bruno operate as an ‘eight’.
“Sandro can definitely play both positions, whether it be higher or lower and that’s why we recruited him in a way because he had that versatility,” he said.
“We didn’t want to sign one player for one position.
“I think Bruno is slightly more complex in terms of where he plays, because I think he has natural strengths, where he gravitates to the ball and always wants to be on the ball, and that’s his biggest strength.
“Playing him away from the ball is different for him, so that’s something to look at.”
How Newcastle should line up against Arsenal
Howe has not ruled out the possibility of playing Tonali as the six against Arsenal and using Bruno as an eight.
It would come as a surprise if does that, but it does feel like the right thing to do moving forwards for Newcastle United.
Given Tonali’s passing style, he feels more suited to being the central midfielder. He was a conductor on Wednesday night, and the speed of his one-touch passing got Newcastle into some really good positions.
And we have seen Bruno do well as an eight before. That was where he played when he first arrived at St James’ Park, back when Jonjo Shelvey was the ‘six’.
It would allow Newcastle to get the Brazilian higher up the pitch in more dangerous positions, which is something that Eddie Howe has always been keen to do.
The Newcastle United manager has been given a fascinating selection dilemma ahead of Saturday’s game against Arsenal. It is going to be really interesting to see how Newcastle line up.
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