At a Glance:
- Arsenal take on Newcastle United at the Emirates on Saturday afternoon.
- The Gunners need to bounce back from disappointing recent defeats to Bournemouth and Manchester City.
- Here’s how Mikel Arteta might set his team up against the Magpies.
Arsenal host Newcastle United in the Premier League on Saturday evening, looking to bounce back from their disastrous defeats over the last two weeks and put the pressure back on Manchester City in the title race.
The Gunners now trail City in the league after Pep Guardiola’s men ran out 1-0 winners against Burnley at Turf Moor on Wednesday night. However, the difference between the two sides in the table is a handful of goals, and while City are engrossed in an FA Cup semi-final this weekend, the North Londoners have the opportunity to re-establish their position at the summit of the English top flight.
Mikel Arteta’s side play twice in the league before City play again, with winnable home games against Newcastle and Fulham providing Arsenal with a lifeline. Should the Gunners emerge from these two fixtures victorious, City will be under immense pressure when they travel to the Hill Dickinson to face David Moyes’ Everton under the lights on Monday, 4th May.
This Saturday’s clash at the Emirates arguably couldn’t have come at a better time for Arsenal, with Newcastle currently in dire straits. The Magpies have lost each of their last four matches across all competitions, conceding 13 goals in the process.
Eddie Howe’s team are no longer realistically in the race for a European spot, while their form spiralling indicates that several players may be ready for an exit and are ‘on the beach’.
In the reverse fixture at St. James’ Park, Gabriel Magalhaes’ 96th-minute header stole Arsenal all three points, and this result ultimately kick-started a ten-match winning run for the Gunners. Arteta will hope for the same here.
| Date | Result | Competition |
| 28/09/2025 | Newcastle 1-2 Arsenal | Premier League |
| 18/05/2025 | Arsenal 1-0 Newcastle | Premier League |
| 05/02/2025 | Newcastle 2-0 Arsenal | Carabao Cup |
| 07/01/2025 | Arsenal 0-2 Newcastle | Carabao Cup |
| 02/09/2024 | Newcastle 1-0 Arsenal | Premier League |
| 24/02/2024 | Arsenal 4-1 Newcastle | Premier League |
Arsenal team news vs Newcastle, Bukayo Saka injury update
Arsenal’s squad is gradually returning to full health, though the fitness of some players remains unclear. Mikel Merino is making steady progress in his recovery from a foot injury, although the Spaniard remains a long way off.
The Gunners desperately need Bukayo Saka back, and fortunately for Arteta, it appears the winger may finally be close to returning from his Achilles problem. Multiple reports have indicated that Saka is expected to feature at some point over the next week, although it’s not clear yet whether Newcastle will be too early for him.
Meanwhile, Riccardo Calafiori is set to return to training this week following his latest setback. The Italian hasn’t featured since Arsenal’s away game in Lisbon, but this load-bearing injury is seemingly close to healing.
As for Jurrien Timber, there have been few concrete updates regarding his rehabilitation. Arteta’s press conference on Friday afternoon should provide more clarity on the Dutchman’s fitness status, as well as on the other players looking to make their returns.
Predicted Arsenal line-up vs Newcastle
Against City, Arteta may have found a formula that works. The head coach set up with dual tens in behind Kai Havertz, with Eberechi Eze and Martin Odegaard occupying the left and right half-spaces, respectively.
He’s likely to opt for this set-up again on Saturday, after it effectively disrupted City’s backline and created multiple chances at the Etihad. Completing the front four will be Noni Madueke on the right, assuming Saka still isn’t ready to feature.
Further back on the pitch, David Raya will retain his place in goal, with William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes leading in front of the shot-stopper. At left-back, Piero Hincapie is a shoo-in with Calafiori still recovering from injury.
At right-back, Arteta may revert to Ben White, who has been dropped for the last two games. The title race could come down to goal difference, and thus, Arsenal need to take an offensive approach in this game, and picking White over Cristhian Mosquera allows them to do this.
Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice will once again start in front of the back four.
Predicted Arsenal line-up vs Newcastle: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard; Madueke, Havertz, Eze.
Arsenal vs Newcastle Prediction
Arsenal shouldn’t have any issues overcoming a poor Newcastle side, who have little to play for. Howe’s team have been all at sea defensively in recent weeks, and if the Gunners struggle to create chances against the Magpies with the team they now have available to them, then questions will be asked.
This should be a good opportunity for Arsenal to improve their goal difference and pull away from City in this regard.
Prediction: Arsenal 3-0 Newcastle
