Arsenal entertain Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium in a huge Premier League encounter.
Victory could see Arsenal leapfrog Manchester City into second if Pep Guardiola’s Cityzens lose at teatime, whilst Newcastle can return to seventh with a win or draw if Brighton slip up against Everton.
Team News
Thomas Partey and Gabriel Jesus could return for Arsenal if pass late fitness tests, following their recoveries from respective muscle and knee injuries.
Takehiro Tomisyasu, Oleksandr Zinchenko (both calf) and Jurrien Timbers (knee) remain absent.
Newcastle will have defender, Fabian Schar available despite having suffered a minor wrist injury in their 2-2 draw against Bournemouth last weekend.
Joe Willock (Achilles) and Alexander Isak (groin) could also feature – most likely from the bench – after successfully training this week with no setbacks.
Elliott Anderson (back), Matt Targett (hamstring), Nick Pope (shoulder), Sandro Tonali (suspension), Callum Wilson (chest) and Joelinton (quad) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Arsenal host Newcastle at 8pm GMT at Emirates Stadium on Saturday 24 February, live on TNT Sports 1 in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Arsenal have avoided defeat in five of their last seven meetings against Newcastle(W4, D1, L2).
- Newcastle have lost 10 of their last 11 league visits to Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium (D1, L10).
- Arsenal have kept clean sheets in their last eight home matches against Newcastle in all competitions (W7, D1), during which they have scored 15 goals without reply.
- Three of Leandro Trossard’s seven league goals for Arsenal this season were scored at home.
- Newcastle are winless in two league visits to London-based clubs this season (D1, L1).
Prediction
After suffering a narrow last-gasp defeat at Porto in midweek where they largely dominated but lacked their recent clinical end product, Arsenal now need to regroup here if want to avoid a return to their festive rut at what is now a key stage in their bid for the Premier League title.
Newcastle meanwhile showed great determination to fight back twice to draw against Bournemouth in a cracking game, where their defensive vulnerability once again was tested and punished yet their attacking quality is steadily getting back to what it could of been if not for injuries.
Eddie Howe’s Magpies though don’t have a great record away at Arsenal but if they can play like they did last week but with less defensive errors, they might nick a draw but I otherwise am backing Arsenal to have the edge because they will surely be eager to produce a strong reaction.
Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Newcastle
Result: Arsenal 4-1 Newcastle