Arsenal vs Newcastle – Preview, Predictions and Best Bets

Arsenal face Newcastle in the Premier League on Saturday. The Magpies won the reverse fixture 1-0 but have failed to even score in nine of their last 11 clashes vs the Gunners. Mikel Arteta’s team have been flying but lost 1-0 in midweek and face a Toon side with four successive wins on their travels.

Arsenal Form

Arsenal have been in great form of late, bouncing back from a run of three losses in a row. They thrashed Crystal Palace 5-0 at home and then went to Nottingham Forest and won 2-1 having led 2-0 until a late goal. A massive 3-1 home victory followed over Liverpool as they ruthlessly exploited errors.

The Gunners went put six goals past West Ham in a 6-0 home success. Last Saturday, they won 5-0 at Burnley in a dominant display. In midweek, a 94th-minute goal conceded brought a 1-0 loss to Porto in the UEFA Champions League. Arsenal had no shots on target in a toothless attacking display.

Arsenal Team News

Mikel Arteta has five injuries to deal with for this match. Jurrien Timber is ruled out whilst the other four players are nearing comebacks. At least one or two of Thomas Partey, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Oleksandr Zinchenko, and Gabriel Jesus could be on the bench.

Fabio Vieira is available again after an injury to boost impact substitute options. Arsenal could name an unchanged XI from midweek. If the side is freshened up, then Eddie Nketiah and Jorginho are the players most likely to be handed opportunities to start.

Arsenal Motivation

The Gunners have been in great form in the league. Their late midweek defeat would have only slightly dented their confidence.

Arsenal will go all out to respond to that loss by taking three points and scoring a few goals. A draw would feel like a defeat in this one.

Newcastle Form

A run of seven losses in eight matches saw the Magpies crash out of the Champions League and the League Cup. They also lost five of six league fixtures during that streak with 15 goals leaked. A 3-0 win in the derby at Sunderland followed in the FA Cup before conceding late to lose 3-2 to Man City.

Eddie Howe’s side are now unbeaten in five fixtures. They won 2-0 at Fulham in the FA Cup fourth round and then picked up a huge three points in a 3-1 league win at Aston Villa. After a crazy 4-4 home draw vs Luton, they went to Nottingham Forest and deservedly won 3-2. Last weekend, they needed a 92nd-minute equaliser to draw 2-2 at home with Bournemouth.

Newcastle Team News

Eddie Howe has a typically long injury list. Callum Wilson will play no part in the attack and Alexander Isak is doubtful to feature. Matt Targett, Elliot Anderson, Nick Pope, Joelinton, and Sandro Tonali are unavailable.

Fabian Schar is a slight doubt at the back with a wrist injury but he should be fit to start. Joe Willock is nearing a comeback. Anthony Gordon is set to lead the line with either Harvey Barnes or Jacob Murphy playing down the left flank.

Newcastle Motivation

The Magpies have won their last four away matches and have much more belief in their travels. Their matches tend to look like basketball games with lots of transitions and space.

A draw at the Emirates would be a great result. They may have to get a point by attacking and looking to score a couple of goals.

Key Stats

Arsenal have won 5 of their last 6 matches (21 goals scored)

Arsenal’s Saka has scored 6 goals in his last 5 matches

Arsenal have won 9 of their 12 home EPL matches this term

Newcastle have failed to score in 9 of their last 11 matches vs Arsenal.

Newcastle have won 4 away matches in a row (all competitions)

Newcastle have won successive away EPL matches (1 win in 10 away matches with 7 losses before that)

Verdict

This match should have goals. Newcastle allows the most counterattacks in the league and Arsenal have been scoring freely. It’s hard to see past the Gunners netting at least three goals against a leaky Toon defense.

Best Bet: Arsenal to score Over 2.5 Team Goals at 2.05

Value Bet: Arsenal win and Over 3.5 goals at 2.70

High-Value Bet: Arsenal win and Saka to score first at 6.63

James O'Connor

James is a football analyst who writes about the tactics of the PSL and English Premier League. He holds the UEFA A coaching licence and has previously worked for several clubs in analysis roles.Twitter: https://twitter.com/footy_analysis