An in-form Newcastle United will welcome Arsenal to St. James’ Park, with both teams with clear objectives at the top end of the table.
Newcastle United, who face Arsenal next, have brushed aside a slight dip in form earlier this year to cement their place as top four favourites. Eight wins in their last nine Premier League games have certainly placed them as favourites to finish in the top four, and maybe they have the opening to pip Manchester United above them.
The Magpies come into this game after an impressive comeback victory against Southampton. Substitute Callum Wilson scored twice as Newcastle went into third on the table. Manchester United’s midweek loss to Brighton & Hove Albion will allow the Magpies to try and extend the gap.
Last time out against the Gunners at St. James' Park! 😍
🔙 #NEWARS pic.twitter.com/W4ypCtOrZi
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) May 3, 2023
Their home form would also encourage Newcastle United to have a go at Arsenal. The Magpies have won each of their last four games at St. James’ Park, including the 6-1 drubbing of Tottenham. They hope for a similar performance against the other north Londoners, but Eddie Howe expects tough competition.
Mikel Arteta will revisit this fixture from last season, which all but ended their hopes of finishing fourth. Arsenal lost 3-0 to the Magpies here last year, but it was also due to an injury-depleted squad. The Gunners were missing key personnel everywhere, including Thomas Partey and Ben White.
That said, this season has been exceptional for Arsenal, who still retain slim hopes of winning the Premier League. The four-game winless run before the midweek clash with Chelsea hurt their chances and allowed Manchester City to crawl back into taking the lead at the top.
In midweek, Arsenal were too good for Chelsea and handed Frank Lampard a sixth straight defeat since taking over as caretaker manager. Two goals from Martin Odegaard and one from Gabriel Jesus ensured the three points. A second-half strike from Noni Madueke prevented a clean sheet for the Gunners. But they would want to improve on that front.
Team News & Tactics
Newcastle United
Eddie Howe does have a few fitness concerns with his squad but none that would affect his selection for Sunday. Sean Longstaff and Allan Saint-Maximin are major players for the Magpies. But the team has played well in their recent short absences.
Eddie Howe on Allan Saint-Maximin:
"Allan has trained. He trained yesterday and it was great to see him back on the grass. He trained very well too so I'm really pleased with that." pic.twitter.com/nWagAFhJ9o
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) May 5, 2023
According to Howe, both stars have recovered from their recent issues, but Longstaff has not trained yet. Hence, the midfielder remains doubtful for the Arsenal clash, although there is a chance to feature on the bench. As for Saint-Maximin, he has resumed training. But the manager may not take the risk with him by starting the Frenchman.
The Frenchman might have reclaimed his left-hand spot had he been fully fit. Howe decided to use Anthony Gordon in that position in recent games. However, with Alexander Isak playing there and combining with Callum Wilson to lethal effect, Howe might consider retaining that combination.
Hence, Gordon could move to the bench alongside Miguel Almiron. Jacob Murphy seems to have nailed down his spot on the right wing and continues to keep the Paraguayan at bay. In midfield, Howe might keep Joelinton and Joe Willock in the company of Bruno Guimaraes.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Pope, Trippier, Schar, Botman, Dan Burn; Joelinton, Guimaraes, Willock; Murphy, Wilson, Isak
Arsenal
Arsenal will have to play without William Saliba again, with Mikel Arteta ruling the defender out of the running. The manager continues to believe the Frenchman might play again before the season ends. But the hopes are fading for the centre-back.
💬 “We’ll have to see tomorrow how he is, but he could not finish the game [against Chelsea] so that was obviously a big sign for us and we’ll have to see how he is tomorrow.”
The boss discusses Gabriel's availability and Saliba's fitness ahead of Newcastle United on Sunday 👇
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) May 5, 2023
That leaves Arteta with a familiar problem that has recently engulfed the side. Arsenal dropped Rob Holding to the bench in favour of Jacob Kiwior, and the gamble worked well against Chelsea. The big concern ahead of the Newcastle game is the fitness of Gabriel Magalhaes, with the Brazilian limping off against Chelsea.
The injury was a knock than a muscle problem, meaning the Brazilian could return to the side. Kiwior seems the likely partner for Gabriel at the back. Other than that, Partey could come into the side after getting benched against Chelsea.
Arteta will have to make a big call about his attacking selections. Leandro Trossard replaced Gabriel Martinelli and gave the side a different option. Whether the manager sticks to that remains the question. There is a feeling the Brazilian might return to the side at the expense of the Belgian.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Ramsdale; Ben White, Kiwior, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Partey, Xhaka; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli
Key Stats
- Newcastle United have won eight of their last nine Premier League games.
- Newcastle have not lost 25 of their last 28 matches in the Premier League.
- Newcastle United have failed to score in seven of their last eight Premier League games against Arsenal.
- Arsenal have failed to score in their last two Premier League games against Newcastle United.
- Arsenal have kept a clean sheet in eight of their last nine matches against Newcastle in all competitions.
Player to Watch
Jakub Kiwior
#ad 🧱 Tackles. Clearances. Interceptions.
🔍 Our latest In Focus centres on Jakub Kiwior's full @PremierLeague debut
🤝 @Acronis
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) May 4, 2023
The right centre-back position for Arsenal has been a problem area since William Saliba’s injury. Rob Holding did a decent job but failed to provide the security the Frenchman often does, and that has cost the Gunners the Premier League title.
While it took long for Arteta to decide, Kiwior impressed the manager after the Chelsea performance. The Pole has cut out the errors and nerves. Holding brings in the position to put in an accomplished display. The manager will hope for more from the defender, but the task is bigger against Newcastle United.
Prediction
Newcastle United 2-2 Arsenal
Arsenal remain the best away team in the league. But they are not favourites coming into this clash. St. James’ Park has proved a difficult venue for the Gunners recently, but Arteta will want to correct the narrative.
Both sides are under pressure to deliver a win, and that might take the game in a different direction. An entertaining draw is the conclusion we can draw from the quality of both teams. However, each can turn the tie around with a probable winner.
