Arsenal and Newcastle United meet at the Emirates Stadium tomorrow as both Premier League sides seek redemption after disappointing stumbles in their respective journeys.
The Gunners returned to the Champions League this season and were keen to show the rest of Europe they belonged in the continent’s premier club competition.
They topped their group and set up a round of 16 clash with FC Porto, feeling confident they could find their way past the Portuguese giants.
However, Arsenal suffered a 1-0 loss and face an anxious wait for the second leg to remedy their fate.
Newcastle have struggled to replicate their performances from last season.
The strength they showed at home in the 2022/23 campaign has vanished – a point evidenced by last weekend’s 2-2 draw against Bournemouth.
Eddie Howe’s side will hope they can get back on track by claiming a major scalp over Arsenal this weekend.
Despite the draw to the Cherries, Newcastle are unbeaten in their last five games in all competitions. They will back themselves to take a result from London.
Arsenal versus Newcastle has always been a fiercely contested affair. However, their match in the first half of the season came with controversy that left a bitter taste in Arsenal’s mouths, adding spice to the fixture.
Newcastle scored a contentious goal through Anthony Gordon, and VAR allowed it despite checking for three different incidents, leaving Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta furious.
Arsenal will be desperate to enact revenge, while the Tynesiders will come with the knowledge that they can add misery to the earlier wounds.
The Gunners welcome Newcastle with history on their side, having won four of the last seven clashes between them (W4, D1, L2).
Both sides come into this clash with baggage, and this fixture should produce fireworks!
Match Preview
Arsenal have been in imperious form domestically, smothering and thwarting every opposition that has stood in their face for the past few weeks.
They had struggled for form during the latter days of December and early January before finding their stride, demolishing Crystal Palace 5-0 and following that result a narrow 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest.
They beat Liverpool 3-1 to cut the gap at the top of the league table before hammering West Ham United 6-0 and Burnley 5-0. The Gunners return to familiar territory, looking to right their European wrongs and maintain their title push.
Their domestic form offers encouragement. They have lost just once at home and also boast the division’s meanest defence, with just 22 goals conceded.
Standing in Arsenal’s way is a resurgent Newcastle side brimming with confidence. They have lost once in their last seven games and twice came from behind to draw 2-2 with Bournemouth last time out.
They are in eighth place, seven points behind the sixth-placed Europa Conference League spot – their most realistic shot at continental football next season.
The Magpies have struck multiple goals in their last six Premier League outings, but their defensive frailties are a concern, having failed to keep a clean sheet in their past eight top-flight fixtures.
Their last visit to the Emirates resulted in a goalless draw, but they emerged victorious 1-0 at St James’ Park in November thanks to that controversial Gordon goal.
Team News
Arsenal have a few niggling concerns, but those worries could dissipate as they welcome Gabriel Jesus and Thomas Partey back into the first-team fold.
Jesus has been dealing with a knock and has not featured since the 2-1 win over Forest. Partey’s fitness situation has been well-documented, with the Ghanaian midfielder making only four league appearances this season.
However, both players could make the bench on Sunday after recovering from their setbacks.
There is also positive news regarding Oleksandr Zinchenko and Takehiro Tomiyasu. They are still not ready but are inching closer. Jurrien Timber remains a long-term absentee.
In the opposition ranks Howe confirmed that Alexander Isak and Joe Willock are close to returning from their lay-offs.
Isak has not featured since Newcastle won 3-1 at Aston Villa 3-1 but could find a place on the bench for the trip to London. His presence will be welcome with Callum Wilson out for a long time.
Willock has been out for months, and Howe stressed being gentle with his recovery, but he could also feature on the bench.
Howe also confirmed that Fabian Schar is okay after his injury scare in their 2-2 draw with Bournemouth. Elliot Anderson, Joelinton, Nick Pope and Matt Targett are still missing in action until further notice.
Arsenal potential starting line-up:
(4-3-3): David Raya; Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Jakub Kiwior; Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz; Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard, Bukayo Saka.
Newcastle potential starting line-up:
(4-3-3): Martin Dubravka; Kieran Trippier, Fabian Schar, Sven Botman, Dan Burn; Sean Longstaff, Bruno Guimaraes, Lewis Miley; Harvey Barnes, Miguel Almiron, Anthony Gordon.
