This is the kind of game that tells you something real about a title challenge. Arsenal came out of Sunday's defeat at Manchester City having slipped from first to second in the Premier League table. Three points feel mandatory against a Newcastle side that has lost three on the bounce. The Emirates is where you expect to bank points without drama. But football rarely cooperates with expectations.
The match kicks off Saturday, April 25, with Arsenal needing a response after their 2-1 loss to City. Mikel Arteta's side have been in excellent form at home all season — undefeated in 15 of their last 16 Premier League matches on their own patch against Newcastle specifically — but Saturday carries a different weight. Every game from here is a must-win conversation.
Newcastle arrive in desperate form. Eight defeats in their last eleven league matches. They're sitting 14th and the trajectory is worrying for Eddie Howe's men. The only silver lining this week is the return of Bruno Guimaraes, who makes his first start in over two months after injury. His creative influence in central midfield has been badly missed, and Newcastle have been a noticeably blunter side without him. Whether he can hit top gear immediately after such a long layoff is the real question.
On the other side of the ledger, Newcastle are missing several key players. Joelinton serves the second game of his suspension. Tino Livramento is out for the season with a muscle problem, meaning Kieran Trippier fills in at right back. And Anthony Gordon — their most dangerous attacker — is doubtful after a muscle issue forced him off against Bournemouth last week. If Gordon doesn't make it, Newcastle's attacking threat drops considerably.
For Arsenal, Arteta faces a selection call up front. Kai Havertz was preferred to Viktor Gyokeres against City and scored the equaliser, but the Gunners couldn't hold on for a point. Does he trust the same combination, or does he turn to Gyokeres from the start? The Swedish striker was brought in to score goals in big moments, and this counts.
The form book screams Arsenal win. Newcastle away from home in their current state, missing key players, returning from injury — on paper, this should be comfortable. But Arteta knows better than to let his team sleepwalk through a game they're supposed to win easily. Three points here keep them in direct contact with City at the top. Drop these and the questions about the title race get much louder.
Prediction: Arsenal 2-0 Newcastle. Arteta's side to control possession, exploit the space Gordon's absence leaves in behind, and deliver the kind of efficient home performance they've made their signature this season.
0 Comments