Newcastle United seek to ignite their Premier League campaign in a tricky home encounter against title-chasing Arsenal.
Victory will lift Newcastle up to eighth in the table, whilst Arsenal can go second with a win.
Team News
Jacob Murphy is a doubt for Newcastle due to an Achilles injury which he has been managing in recent weeks.
Jacob Ramsey (ankle), Yoane Wissa (knee) and Fabian Schar (concussion) remain ruled out.
Arsenal could welcome Martin Odegaard back after the Norwegian midfielder missed their last three matches with a shoulder injury.
Noni Madueke (knee) and Piero Hincapie (groin) are ruled out after they missed the Gunners’ Carabao Cup victory at Port Vale.
Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus (both knee) remain sidelined.
When is Kick-Off?
Newcastle host Arsenal at St James’ Park on Sunday 28 September at 4:30pm BST, live on Sky Sports in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Newcastle have won just two of their last five league meetings against Arsenal (W2, L3).
- Arsenal have won just one of their last four league visits to Newcastle (W1, L3).
- Eddie Howe’s Magpies have kept clean sheets in four of their last five home games against Arsenal in all competitions.
- Newcastle have kept four clean sheets in five league games this season (W1, D3, L1).
- Arsenal’s two away top-flight games so far this season were settled by 1-0 results (W1, L1).
Prediction
Having weathered an initial attacking storm against Bradford in their midweek Carabao Cup victory, Newcastle were utterly clinical and confident once settled and I would like to see them bring that quality and spirit into this game but the service to Nick Woltemade must be better than in their last league game at Bournemouth.
Arsenal meanwhile dug deep for a draw against Manchester City in their last league outing but clinically breezed past Port Vale such was the gulf in quality, amidst various changes but equally strong line-up so they must remember that this game will be tougher than that game was in terms of intensity.
Mikel Arteta’s Gunners also have a poor record at Newcastle and haven’t really looked convincing on the road against top-quality opposition so far this season, which will suit Newcastle if they can defend as resiliently as they did on Wednesday and still be clinical.
I however do think that Arsenal will have enough quality with the return of Odegaard and a rested Viktor Gyokeres to snatch a draw.
Prediction: Newcastle 1-1 Arsenal
Result: Newcastle 1-2 Arsenal
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