Newcastle United are set to host Arsenal, and both sides are still some way off their respective Premier League objectives.
Eddie Howe will have mixed feelings about the last two games, both of which came against Chelsea. His Newcastle United side managed to exact revenge in the League Cup following their loss in the league game as they get set to host Arsenal at St. James’ Park. In midweek, the Magpies came on top and reached the quarter-finals of the competition, but they have work to do to improve their league form.
Last weekend, for a while, it seemed like an end-to-end encounter at Stamford Bridge. However, Chelsea were able to pull away with a second-half lead and maintain it. Once again, Howe’s men seemed a bit short of their expected standards, which will be put to a big test in the Saturday lunchtime kickoff.
The result against Chelsea last weekend was their fifth game in the Premier League without a victory, with their previous set of three points coming back in mid-September. If the Magpies find a way past the title challengers, the visit from Arsenal at the weekend will be a tough one and a galvanising one, too.
Speaking of the title challenge, Arsenal fans had mixed emotions about their result against then-leaders Liverpool last Sunday. Mikel Arteta had to make many tweaks to accommodate his best available players for that clash, as it was a must-not-lose game in many regards for the Gunners; a loss would have placed them seven points behind Arne Slot’s side in the rankings.
Instead, the Gunners came out on top in the first half despite missing some key players and playing those who were not fully fit. Bukayo Saka immediately showed he is the main man at Arsenal when it comes to attacking the ball with a stunner in the opening period. Virgil van Dijk equalised for Liverpool later, while Mikel Merino got his first Arsenal goal and allowed Arteta’s men to take a lead at half-time.
The loss of key defenders in the second half, namely Gabriel Magalhaes and Jurrien Timber, meant Arsenal were depleted at the back. Those changes there did not help, as Liverpool scored from a transition situation, and the game ended 2-2. Arsenal are still within range of Liverpool and Manchester City, and will hope to take an early advantage with a win on Saturday, although this venue has its challenges.
Team News & Tactics
Newcastle United
Eddie Howe has a few decisions to make regarding his squad selection ahead of the Arsenal clash. He did mention niggling problems with Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon while insisting he would decide on their inclusion following late tests.
Newcastle United might struggle for relevance in the attacking third against Arsenal without the influential duo, who did start in midweek. Hence, there is a big chance they feature from the start. There are doubts about Jacob Murphy, with Howe insisting his missing in midweek was due to a hamstring problem. It is unclear the winger will feature on Saturday, as Gordon could come to his side with Harvey Barnes on the left.
Howe will surely bring some of his rested players, like Dan Burn and Bruno Guimaraes, back into the fold. The latter will likely replace Sean Longstaff in midfield. Dan Burn should replace Lloyd Kelly at the back, while Tino Livramendo and Lewis Hall will keep their spots in those full-back areas.
Joelinton and Sandro Tonali are expected to feature in that midfield alongside Guimaraes. Isak will be expected to lead the line and last the distance as Newcastle United only has William Osula as his backup, with Callum Wilson yet to return to full fitness.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Pope; Livramento, Schar, Dan Burn, Hall; Tonali, Guimaraes, Joelinton; Gordon, Isak, Barnes
Arsenal
Mikel Arteta insisted that Gabriel Magalhaes was doing well and could be involved depending on the last training session before the game. The centre-back suffered an apparent knee problem against Liverpool, but the Arsenal manager confirmed it was not serious earlier in the week.
He cautioned about Ben White, who missed out on the EFL Cup clash, and Arteta confirmed he has not trained yet, meaning he remains in considerable doubt about Newcastle United. Even if Gabriel is fit enough, there are doubts whether Arteta would want to risk him, although he will have William Saliba back in what is a big boost.
Either way, Arteta will once again have to make the correct defensive selection choices. Jakub Kiwior could start in place of Gabriel and partner up with Saliba centrally. Thomas Partey could be an option once again at right-back after his stellar display in the role against Liverpool. Jurrien Timber is also expected to start, although he might find himself in central areas, at left-back, or even in the right-back role if needed.
Martin Odegaard is still some way from full fitness, and he will miss out alongside Riccardo Calafiori. Mikel Merino will keep his place in central midfield alongside Declan Rice, while Leandro Trossard will return to the starting eleven. Arteta will once again give Saka the keys to the attack, who will feature alongside Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli in the attacking third.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Raya; Partey, Saliba, Kiwior, Timber; Saka, Rice, Merino, Martinelli; Havertz, Trossard
Key Stats
- Newcastle United are winless in their last five Premier League matches.
- Newcastle United have won two of their last three home games against Arsenal.
- Arsenal are undefeated in 14 of their last 15 matches in the Premier League.
- Arsenal have dropped points in four of their last seven Premier League matches (D3 L1). Prior to that they had won eight successive games.
- Raheem Sterling could become the fifth Premier League player to score 10 goals versus Newcastle United, after Wayne Rooney (15), Sergio Aguero (15), Michael Owen (13), and Andrew Cole (11).
Player to Watch
Bukayo Saka
Mikel Arteta ensured he kept Saka’s fitness news under wraps ahead of the Liverpool game, and it somewhat paid off, as Saka showed how significant of a presence he was in that attacking third. It has been a fantastic start to the season, and assuming he was not at his fittest last Sunday, his first-half performance was more than admirable.
This campaign looks like the one where Saka will break through into that superstar conversation, and he’s already showing plenty of signs regarding that. Newcastle United will be a tough away test for Arsenal, and they hope that Saka will be at his best level for that game. He will be the man in focus when the two teams take the pitch.
Prediction
Newcastle United 1-2 Arsenal
Games like this one at St. James’ Park are always tricky to predict, but Newcastle United are not in the best vein of form to absolutely stake a claim at a sure win. Apart from being winless in their last five league games, the Magpies are not showing signs they are about to go on a run despite that confidence-boosting win in midweek in the EFL Cup.
Arsenal will not come to St. James’ Park in an overconfident mood, as they, too, have had their shortcomings this season and in recent weeks. However, this game will be decided on critical battles in that midfield, where the Gunners could have an ever-so-slightly advantage with the form of their midfielders. They will take the three points in this away clash.