Arsenal will aim to continue their stunning form in the league despite the midweek European setback as they host Newcastle United at the Emirates.
Mikel Arteta was livid at the end of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 loss to FC Porto. Galeno scored a stunner deep in injury time, as a series of minor errors led to Porto finding that small opening to hurt the Gunners. There is still much to play to decide the setback in Portugal, as the Arsenal manager will aim for a big win in the return leg at the Emirates, although the next challenge is against Newcastle United.
Arteta will want his players switched on for the task at hand in the Premier League, where Arsenal are in a stunning run of form. Having scored 21 goals in their last five league games in this calendar year, Arteta will want continuity as Arsenal take on Newcastle United at the Emirates.
Arsenal are in a healthy position in the league and sit in third spot ahead of some crunch fixtures. In midweek, both Liverpool and Manchester City won their games, although with the Reds not playing this weekend, Arsenal and City have a chance to close the gap up top.
The visitors at the Emirates are Newcastle United, who need help to break back into the top four places. The 12-point gap with fourth-placed Aston Villa will appear like a daunting task to recover, considering there are only 13 games left to play.
Hence, to have any chance of making it back into the Champions League, Eddie Howe will need a flawless run worthy of champions. Newcastle United have many big games to play this season, although recent results have been mixed-bag at best.
Newcastle United have managed only three wins in their last ten Premier League games, which has seen their position on the table dwindle. Further dropped points will result in the Magpies being ruled out of contention for a top-four place, as Howe will hope for a robust performance against Arsenal, similar to the one at St. James’ Park in the reverse fixture against Newcastle.
Team News & Tactics
Arsenal
Mikel Arteta insisted there are some positive signs with a few of his injured stars, as Thomas Partey and Gabriel Jesus are close to returning. The former has been out for more than three months, while the Brazilian has missed the team’s last three games.
Fabio Vieira already made the bench in midweek, although there are still doubts about Oleksandr Zinchenko and Takehiro Tomiyasu’s fitness. The duo may not feature at the weekend, which could mean a continued spell for Jakub Kiwior in the left-back position.
Beyond that, Arteta might make minor changes to his side, too, if he deems it necessary. At home, Arsenal have played fluid attacking football, and in recent times, the presence of Leandro Trossard and Kai Havertz has facilitated that aspect.
Either Arteta will retain the duo, or it will be an unchanged lineup for the fourth game running in all competitions. Alternatively, the Arsenal manager might look to bring Jorginho’s experience into the equation against Newcastle United as he has done in many big games this season at the Emirates, in which case Trossard will make way for the Italian international.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Raya; Ben White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior; Odegaard, Rice, Jorginho; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli
Newcastle United
Eddie Howe had some positive updates regarding some of his injured stars, as he insisted Joe Willock and Alexander Isak are close to returning. The duo trained this week, although there are considerable doubts about whether the manager would involve them from the start or even on the bench.
Either player will provide a boost to the otherwise injury-depleted squad at Howe’s disposal. There are a host of other players who are out injured, including Callum Wilson, Joelinton, Nick Pope, Matt Targett, and Elliot Anderson.
Jacob Murphy also remains doubtful, as Howe will try to name his best possible starting eleven to face Arsenal at the Emirates. Bruno Guimaraes will undoubtedly sit at the base of the midfield, while Howe will have a strong enough back-four to choose from.
Teenager Lewis Miley will also have a place on the left side of the midfield, with Sean Longstaff set to take the other role on the right side. The recent return of Harvey Barnes has boosted Newcastle’s attacking choices, as the winger will start in the front three alongside Anthony Gordon and Miguel Almiron.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Dubravka; Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn; Longstaff, Guimaraes, Riley; Almiron, Gordon, Barnes
Key Stats
- Arsenal have kept a clean sheet in their last eight home matches against Newcastle in all competitions.
- Arsneal have won their last five Premier League games.
- Arsenal have failed to score in three of their last four Premier League games against Newcastle.
- Newcastle have failed to score in their last eight visits to the Emirates Stadium in all competitions.
- Newcastle United are unbeaten in their last six games across all competitions.
Player to Watch
Kai Havertz
The Arsenal star had a robust game at St. James’ Park, and it was the point where it was clear what Arteta wanted from the German international. His recent form has improved considerably, and his exchange of positions with Leandro Trossard during the game was the game-changer for Arsenal.
The Gunners are in a fantastic position in the Premier League and would want all their players fit and firing between now and the end. Havertz still has a lot to prove, although the current signs show he can flourish under Arteta, and the Arsenal manager would want him to have a big performance against Newcastle United.
Prediction
Arsenal 2-1 Newcastle United
The Magpies have a good recent record against Arsenal and will seek to extend that. However, their form does not reflect a prediction that they can get anything out of this encounter. Instead, it is Arsenal who are playing some of the most attractive football in the country as Arteta aims to mount a concerted title challenge.
The Magpies may feel they have come to the Emirates at the wrong possible time, although they have the players to turn the game around. However, on the basis of form alone, Arsenal are the favourites to take three points at the Emirates, although they might end up letting Newcastle United score the odd goal.
