Arsenal have the opportunity to regain momentum in the title race and pile pressure back on Manchester City when they host Newcastle United at the Emirates on Saturday evening.
The Gunners lost at the Etihad last Sunday, leaving the Premier League title race wide open. City then beat Burnley on Wednesday night at Turf Moor, and subsequently moved ahead of the North Londoners on goals scored.
Losing their grip on first place will have been psychologically damaging for Mikel Arteta and his players, although they now have a chance to flip this dynamic. Arsenal entertain a Newcastle side in crisis, in a game that coincides with City’s FA Cup semi-final against Southampton, on a rare weekend when the two teams play at the same time.
Arteta’s side can therefore focus on their own game without the distraction of City’s match. Newcastle have lost their last four matches across all competitions, and Eddie Howe will be without several key players for the visit to N5.
This should, therefore, be a routine victory for Arsenal. With that said, here are the key battles that we believe could be pivotal in dictating the outcome of the game at the Emirates.
Ben White vs Harvey Barnes
Anthony Gordon has been ruled out of this game with a groin injury, meaning Newcastle will be without their most productive attacker in North London. Harvey Barnes, who has scored 14 goals across all competitions this season, will need to step up for the Magpies in Gordon’s absence.
Arteta may revert to Ben White at right-back in this encounter after Cristhian Mosquera endured a difficult game at the Etihad last weekend. The Gunners need to get their goal difference up, and White provides more from an offensive standpoint than the Spaniard.
However, the England defender can’t be entirely focused on providing value in the final third, as he’ll have to deal with a tricky customer in Barnes. The Newcastle winger’s diagonal runs in behind can cause issues, and White will have to diligently track him throughout.
Martin Odegaard vs Bruno Guimareas
Martin Odegaard was back to his best away at City, impacting the Gunners’ build-up in a positive manner. The midfielder has the technical quality in close spaces that many of Arsenal’s other attacking players lack, and thus, his presence allows Arteta’s team to control matches.
In this game, he’ll be instrumental to the Gunners’ ability to unlock Newcastle’s defence. Bruno Guimaraes will be tasked with sitting at the base of the Magpies’ midfield, and it’ll be his job to monitor Odegaard’s metronomic midfield work.
Martin Odegaard: Modern Leader ©️
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) April 23, 2026
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If the Brazilian comes out on top in this battle, then Arsenal’s primary source of chance creation will be negated, and they may struggle to find solutions.
Eberechi Eze vs Kieran Trippier
Alongside Gordon, Tino Livramento has been ruled out for Newcastle. In his place, a 35-year-old Kieran Trippier, who can still pass exceptionally but no longer has the mobility to defend at a high level, will step in.
This is where Arsenal could have a real mismatch on the pitch. Eberechi Eze will presumably start on the left again after a promising performance against City in this role.
Eze ➡️ Gyokeres
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) September 14, 2025
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Eze has the technical nous and dribbling ability to humiliate Trippier, and this could ultimately be where Arsenal break the game open.
