8 Key Decisions Steve McClaren Must Make Ahead Of Newcastle Vs Arsenal

7. Who Makes McClaren's Back Four?

The NUFC backline were magnificent against Manchester United at Old Trafford last weekend and earned a hard-fought clean sheet, their first of the season. Such a performance makes it extremely difficult for Steve McClaren to justify dropping any of Massadio Haidara, Fabricio Coloccini, Steven Taylor or Chancel Mbemba - but the Magpies head coach now has Daryl Janmaat available following suspension. What's more, the Dutch full-back was magnificent against Northampton Town on Tuesday night and forged an excellent relationship with Florian Thauvin down the right. McClaren is unlikely to drop his captain, Coloccini, while Mbemba arrived for a hefty fee this summer. Paul Dummett will probably not be considered for a starting role just yet despite being fit again and will likely return following the international break. Instead it seems Taylor will be the unlucky player to make way in order to allow Mbemba to move back into the centre of defence, with Janmaat returning at right-back. For the first time in months, a Newcastle United manager actually has a positive selection headache in defence - so this is one dilemma McClaren will welcome.