Mikel Arteta will want his Arsenal players to embrace the hostility of St. James’ Park as they travel to face Newcastle United on Saturday.
Eddie Howe insisted revenge was not on his mind before the trip to Old Trafford in midweek, even though his side lost to Manchester United in last season’s EFL Cup final. He will be asked the same question again when Newcastle United host Arsenal, who had won at St. James’ Park last season.
Surely, Howe would want his side to exact revenge against the Gunners and improve their position in the table. While Newcastle United did produce a stellar performance in the cup fixture, there are some question marks about their league form. The Magpies have had an inconsistent run of results, dropping too many valuable points along the way.
Who's That Team We Call United! ⚫⚪ pic.twitter.com/9kVocZRBtS
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) November 2, 2023
Based on the current standings, Newcastle United have failed to beat any team above them in the table, barring Aston Villa. They have thoroughly struggled for relevance against the much bigger sides, and their performance in the draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers should be a big wake-up call for Howe in their quest to again clinch a top-four finish.
Arsenal did not have the luck to go through in the EFL Cup after a disappointing away performance to West Ham United. The Gunners had a decent first half but folded in the second period, as the Hammers were clinical with their chances. With the cup problem out of the way, Mikel Arteta will refocus on league affairs, where the Gunners are still unbeaten after 10 games on the board.
Last week, Arteta flexed his muscles by making several changes to his lineup. Yet, the Gunners came out as 5-0 winners over Sheffield United, which kept them only two points behind leaders Tottenham in the standings. The Arsenal manager lamented their midweek display but stressed the importance of showing up in big games like the next one against Newcastle United.
Arsenal made a point last season at St. James’ Park, and Arteta will want his players to embrace the hostility of this ground to make another mark in their league campaign. Coming with a result in this fixture has been difficult for many sides. But the Gunners have the quality and personnel to even come away with three points.
Team News & Tactics
Newcastle United
Newcastle United’s shortage of central defenders was laid bare during the midweek trip, as Eddie Howe decided to start four full-backs against Manchester United. It meant complete rest for their remaining centre-backs, Fabian Schar and Jamal Lascelles, who will start against Arsenal.
Eddie Howe on the injury to Matt Targett:
"It doesn’t look good. He is having his scan today so we will know more today. When you have a hamstring injury you fear the worst. It is a real blow to lose him – he is a top player." pic.twitter.com/uiqlmDjKND
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) November 3, 2023
Howe will have an entirely changed back four for this fixture against the Gunners, with Dan Burn and Kieran Trippier also set for returns. On the injury front, Matt Targett also went off early in that midweek game, meaning he will have joined a host of stars sitting on the sidelines. Harvey Barnes, Sven Botman and Alexander Isak are a few of those missing from action and not ready to make the Arsenal game.
Sean Longstaff and Bruno Guimaraes will continue in midfield and will be joined by Joelinton, who played as a central striker in midweek. The Brazilian’s versatility allowed Howe to rest Callum Wilson, who must take some responsibility with Isak still injured.
With many other attackers like Barnes and Jacob Murphy out of action, Newcastle United will rely on Miguel Almiron and Anthony Gordon to play a significant role in the attacking third and complement Wilson.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Pope; Trippier, Schar, Lascelles, Dan Burn; Longstaff, Guimaraes, Joelinton; Almiron, Wilson, Gordon
Arsenal
Mikel Arteta appeared disappointed and concerned at the same time following a fresh injury blow to Emile Smith Rowe before the midweek clash. The attacker will now miss several weeks of action, thus joining the likes of Thomas Partey and Gabriel Jesus on the sidelines.
🥁 Introducing our Player of the Month for October…
🥇 Takehiro Tomiyasu
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) November 2, 2023
Apart from that, Arsenal have a fully-fit squad. But there are some teetering on the lines of bringing semi-fit, including Martin Odegaard. The Norwegian did come off the bench in midweek to score a late consolation, and Arteta would expect his captain to turn up fit for the trip to St. James’ Park.
After several weeks of showing signs of niggling problems troubling him, Bukayo Saka has regained sharpness in recent games. He, alongside Gabriel Martinelli, appear to have returned to their usual selves, as they will look to lead this Arsenal attack.
Arteta may have to choose his left-back, central midfield and centre-forward positions. Takehiro Tomiyasu sat on the bench for the West Ham United clash, and one would expect him to start in place of Oleksandr Zinchenko. Similarly, Arteta could continue deploying Kai Havertz in midfield if he does not fancy starting Jorginho. Otherwise, the German can lead the line and compete with Eddie Nketiah.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Raya; Ben White, Saliba, Gabriel, Tomiyasu; Odegaard, Jorginho, Rice; Saka, Nketiah, Martinelli
Key Stats
- Newcastle United have won their last three home games in the Premier League without conceding a goal.
- Newcastle have seen under 2.5 goals in their last five matches against Arsenal in all competitions.
- Arsenal have won eight of their last ten away matches against Newcastle United in all competitions.
- Arsenal have kept a clean sheet in nine of their last ten matches against Newcastle in all competitions.
- Arsenal have conceded only two goals on the road in the Premier League this season, the best record in the division.
Player to Watch
Martin Odegaard
Arteta says Odegaard has been playing with an injury in recent weeks:
"Martin has been carrying a little thing that has not been very comfortable." @SamJDean #afc pic.twitter.com/xaqGMBmikv
— Arsenal Harmony ⚡ (@ArsenalHarmoni) October 28, 2023
Odegaard has been struggling with a niggle as well as with his form in recent games. After a solid start to the campaign, the Arsenal skipper needs a massive performance to elevate his confidence, and Newcastle United might be the right place to get his bearings right.
His performance here last season earned the Gunners a convincing 2-0 win, and he will aim to repeat that display this time. More than anything, Arteta would want his skipper fit and firing on all cylinders as Arsenal enters a challenging phase of their season and remains in a solid position to challenge for major honours.
Prediction
Newcastle United 0-2 Arsenal
On paper, this game appears poised to end in an entertaining draw. But Newcastle’s recent form would suggest otherwise. In the manner in which the Magpies threw away a two-goal lead against Wolves last weekend, Mikel Arteta will have identified those chunks in their armour.
The Gunners are on a formidable run in the Premier League, having not tasted defeat this season. They will look to explore the problems Newcastle have at the back and remain defensively solid. Arsenal can repeat last season’s performance with a similar result this time, as they have the superior side, considering the depleted squad available at Howe’s disposal.
