This week’s early Premier League kick-off comes from St James’ Park as 12th placed Newcastle host third placed Arsenal. In this fixture last season, the Magpies came out on top with a 1-0 victory thanks to an Anthony Gordon strike.
By Matt Smith
Gordon escapes serious injury
Eddie Howe received a major boost in the week as Gordon returned to Newcastle’s starting XI in the Carabao Cup win over Chelsea having missed the league trip to Chelsea last weekend. The North East side will be without a host of players, with the likes of Callum Wilson, Jacob Murphy, and Sven Botman on the treatment table.
Alexander Isak, who has endured multiple injury troubles throughout the campaign, hobbled off against Chelsea on Wednesday night, and Howe has stated that he hopes it’s nothing too serious.
Newcastle struggling for consistency
It’s been a tricky season for the Magpies so far who are struggling to find the back of the net, especially when Isak has been watching from the sidelines. Newcastle have averaged just one goal per game, with only four sides managing fewer strikes.
Howe will understandably be desperate for Isak to be fit enough to face the Gunners, but the Swedish striker hasn’t been as consistent as expected in front of goal. Isak has scored just twice from an xG of 3.5, producing 21 shots in the Premier League.
Gabriel could be passed fit
Against Liverpool last time out in the Premier League, Gabriel Magalhaes limped off in the second half, adding to Mikel Arteta’s injury troubles. William Saliba missed the game due to suspension meaning the Gunners ended the game with a makeshift back four.
Martin Ødegaard hasn’t featured for Arsenal since September after picking up an ankle injury, and he could struggle to be fit enough to face Newcastle on Saturday. Before the Gunners travelled to Preston North End in the Carabao Cup during the week, Arteta confirmed that there were ‘still a few boxes to tick’ before he could play again.
Saka has taken his game to another level
The Gunners have been heavily relying on the contributions of Bukayo Saka once again this season with the England international a goalscoring and creative force in the final third. The Arsenal academy graduate has provided 10 goals and assists combined in just eight matches.
Arteta might be concerned that the North London outfit are already starting to fall behind in the Premier League title race after some disappointing results in recent weeks. The Gunners have won just twice in their last five fixtures and currently find themselves sitting in third place, five points behind leaders Manchester City.
Water-tight defences go head-to-head
Arsenal and Newcastle have been two of the most defensively organised sides in the Premier League this season, so we should be expecting a low-scoring affair. The Magpies will have the support of a packed-out St James’ Park behind them, and another 1-0 victory, just like last season’s fixture, wouldn’t be a surprise.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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