Newcastle vs Arsenal: Match Preview & Prediction
- Arsenal travel to Newcastle in Saturday’s early kick-off
- Gunners controversially beaten at St. James’ Park last season
- Newcastle have endured poor start to 2024/25 Premier League campaign
A tough away trip is next on Arsenal’s radar as they take on Newcastle in the first outing of the Premier League weekend on Saturday lunchtime.
The Gunners enjoyed a serene night on Wednesday as they eased past Preston in the Carabao Cup fourth round, while Newcastle downed Chelsea 2-0 having lost to the Blues in the league on Sunday.
Eddie Howe’s side controversially beat Mikel Arteta’s men in this fixture last season by virtue of an Anthony Gordon strike, but Arsenal were dominant in the previous meeting, winning 4-1 in north London. Arsenal enter Saturday’s game third in the division and five points adrift of leaders Manchester City, but they’re much better off than their upcoming opponents.
Their midweek win was a rare bright spot in what’s been a tough campaign for Newcastle thus far. The Magpies currently sit 12th in the Premier League having picked up just 12 points from their opening nine games. They will always be a tough out at St. James’ Park, however, and have already taken points off Man City and Tottenham on home soil.
Newcastle team news
Newcastle’s defensive issues this season can be put down to their current absences, with Howe having to deal with the long-term injuries sustained by Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles. Kieran Trippier is also a doubt for Saturday’s game.
Anthony Gordon had been dealing with a muscle injury but was in the starting XI on Wednesday and should be okay for Arsenal’s visit.
Callum Wilson remains sidelined with a back injury, but Alexander Isak is fit and firing.
Photo: Getty
Arsenal team news
Jurrien Timber was fit to play 45 minutes on Wednesday and should keep his place in the team on Sunday. However, Ben White’s likely return and Riccardo Calafiori’s injury absence means the Dutchman will likely start at left-back.
Arteta can also call upon William Saliba after the Frenchman served his one-game Premier League suspension in the 2-2 draw with Liverpool.
Gabriel’s knee injury shouldn’t see him miss Saturday’s game, and there’s even an outside chance Martin Odegaard makes the matchday squad after six weeks out. Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney are sidelined.
Photo:Getty
Newcastle vs Arsenal score prediction
Trips to St. James’ are always tough, but I think Arsenal will benefit from this game being an early kick-off. While the atmosphere is still bound to be fervent, St. James’ under the lights is a different beast.
Arsenal are facing up against a physical Newcastle team that will aim to disrupt and bullt their visitors through their work without the ball – as they did against Chelsea on Wednesday. However, Newcastle’s pressing success in midweek was rare, with the Magpies struggling to offer much resistance out of possession at the start of 2024/25. There are holes within their structure which Arsenal should exploit, and the return of a strong back four will help the Gunners tame any momentum the hosts build during the match.
Newcastle will have their moments and spells, but Arsenal will edge a physical encounter.
Prediction: Newcastle 1-2 Arsenal
Credit: PainInTheArsenal