Defending FA Cup holders, Arsenal kick off their title defence at home to Newcastle United in Saturday’s tasty all Premier League tie at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal will be looking to avoid another repeat exit performance as saw the last time that they entered defending champions in 2017-18 season, losing at this stage away to Nottingham Forest.
Newcastle meanwhile will be keen to advance to the Fourth Round for the fifth consecutive season, continuing their bid to reach a third straight Quarter-Final in all domestic cup competitions.
Team News
Thomas Partey could return for Arsenal following a lengthy thigh injury which kept him absent for the Gunners’ last eight matches.
Gabriel however remains sidelined following a positive Coronavirus test, with Mikel Arteta set to rotate his squad with several first-team regulars set to be rested.
Newcastle have Isaac Hayden available after the midfielder served a one match ban in last weekend’s Premier League loss to Leicester, having collected five bookings this season.
Ryan Fraser (groin) and Jamaal Lascelles (Coronavirus) face late fitness tests but Allan Saint-Maximin (Coronavirus) and Jamal Lewis (knee) remain ruled out.
Stat Attack
- Arsenal have won four of ten previous FA Cup meetings against Newcastle (W4, D2, L4).
- Newcastle have won just one of four previous away trips to Arsenal (W1, L3), with their solo away win in this FA Cup fixture coming in their first meeting in this competition in January 1902.
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has scored four goals in his last two FA Cup appearances for Arsenal, of which both came at Wembley last season against Manchester City and Chelsea respectively.
Prediction
A few weeks ago, I would of said that this was a must-win for Arsenal given their form but they have shown massive improvement lately, especially in terms of attacking energy which certainly benefitted them at West Brom last weekend in snowy conditions.
Newcastle meanwhile found themselves digging deep against a robust Leicester team with a solid display, in which sloppy defensive marking cost them but they will have to be at their absolute best here.
This therefore feels like a routine win for Arsenal because if they can get control of this game, they should have enough to defeat Newcastle who seem to lack any spark up front with their defensive system.
Prediction: Arsenal 2-0 Newcastle
Result: Arsenal 2-0 Newcastle (After Extra Time)
Leave a Reply