Arsenal have hit the buffers over the past month but they have an excellent chance to restore their three-point advantage at the top of the Premier League tomorrow.
The Gunners went into the March international break having lost the EFL Cup final to Manchester City but still holding a nine-point lead over Pep Guardiola’s side in the title race.
Since then, they have crashed out of the FA Cup to Championship side Southampton – who face City at Wembley in the semi-finals tomorrow – and seen their advantage in the top flight evaporate.
City’s nervy win at Burnley in midweek saw them take over at the top but their stay at the summit may be shortlived with Arsenal tomorrow facing a Newcastle team woefully out of form.
The pressure continues to mount on boss Eddie Howe with his side having lost their last four games in all competitions.
Newcastle’s summer rebuild last year has failed to reap rewards with the likes of Nick Woltemade, Yoane Wissa, Anthony Elanga and Jacob Ramsey – who cost over £200million between them – failing to make much of an impact.
There is likely to be further upheaval at the end of this season with some big-name players likely to move on, including Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali.
“We’re always looking at the team and trying to make assessments and judgements for the future,” said Howe. “That’s natural. Of course, if the team is not performing then there will be bigger changes in the summer than previously. You have to react to what you see. That goes on, on a weekly, daily basis behind the scenes.
“I think the players will expect that, there is a responsibility to try and be at your best, that falls on me as well to deliver the best I can for the players and the staff. It goes with the territory.”
Newcastle start the weekend in 14th with Howe viewing a trip to the Emirates as a free hit.
“It is definitely an opportunity for us because the next game is always an opportunity to prove yourselves all over again, most importantly to ourselves, that we owe it to everybody at the club, to ourselves to commit everything we have to try and get a result, as we did very recently at Chelsea,” he added. “We can take a lot from that game, in terms of our attitude, how we played and the spirit and togetherness we showed.
“When you have had a difficult run it can seem like you’ve been in it a long period of time, probably with an international break, a big length of gap we had between games, it felt that way for us. We have to tap into games we performed really well in.”
Team news for Arsenal v Newcastle
Arsenal played well at City last weekend and would have secured a deserved point had it not been for some poor finishing. Boss Mikel Arteta is likely to go with the same XI, although Jurrien Timber and Bukayo Saka could make the bench if they can prove their fitness.
Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes is set to return to the starting XI after coming off the bench in last Saturday’s defeat to Bournemouth. Gordon is still sidelined, as is Tino Livramento.
Predicted line-ups for Arsenal v Newcastle
Arsenal: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Zubimendi, Rice; Madueke, Odegaard, Eze; Havertz
Newcastle: Ramsdale; Miley, Thiaw, Botman, Hall; Tonali, Guimaraes, Ramsey; Elanga, Barnes,Osula
Where to watch Arsenal v Newcastle: TV and online streams
Arsenal versus Newcastle kicks-off at 5.30pm tomorrow afternoon. You can watch it on Sky Sports Premier League and Main Event. It can be streamed on Sky Go.
If you’re watching from outside the UK, click HERE for details of the channels showing the game in your region.
Stats for Arsenal v Newcastle
- Arsenal haven’t conceded in four of their last six home games against Newcastle United
- Newcastle have not won at Arsenal in their last 13 attempts in the Premier League
- Arsenal have not lost three successive Premier League games since 2022
- Arsenal have lost four of their last six games in all competitions, more than in their previous 52 matches combined
Prediction for Arsenal v Newcastle
Newcastle appear the perfect opponents for an Arsenal side short of confidence and form.
If the Gunners can reproduce their performance against City last week, then that ought to be enough to move clear at the top once again.
Prediction: Arsenal 2-0 Newcastle
