Preview: Arsenal vs Newcastle United – stats, team news, line-ups

Arsenal lick their wounds after a devastating European defeat as they turn their attention back to the Premier League with a Saturday showdown against Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners would still be reeling from that agonising injury-time goal against Porto as they prepare to face a Magpies side fresh off securing a late equaliser against Bournemouth.

Arsenal have been flawless in the Premier League this year, and Mikel Arteta will hope his side can shrug off the continental setback to maintain their title charge against a tricky Newcastle side.

The clash has all the makings of a box office event, so make sure to buy Arsenal vs Newcastle tickets from seatsnet.com and book a place in the stands ahead of the mouth-watering contest.

Arsenal’s free-scoring prowess in the Premier League deserted them on Wednesday night as they were held to a frustrating goalless draw by Porto in the first leg of their Champions League round-of-16 clash. 

A defensively sound Porto unit who had previously kept five clean sheets in a row on home turf maintained their solidity at Estadio do Dragao to ensure Arsenal didn’t secure a single shot on target in their opening Champions League knockout tie.

Despite dominating possession, the Gunners were uncharacteristically disappointing in the final third, and their naivety was punished by a Galeno wonder goal deep into stoppage time.

One clash doesn’t tell the entire story, and Arsenal will get a chance to turn the tie on its head when they welcome Porto to north London in two weeks.

However, they must first ensure they pick up where they left off in the Premier League title race as they take on Newcastle on the back of a historic five-game winning run in the top flight.

Arsenal have won their opening five league games of a calendar year for the first time in their history, sealing a place in the record books following a 5-0 mauling of relegation-threatened Burnley at Turf Moor.

However, they remain third on the Premier League rankings, one point behind defending champions Manchester City and five behind Liverpool, who extended their lead atop the table with a 4-1 win over Luton Town.

The Gunners will be eager to extend their impressive winning streak and also pick up a third consecutive league win on home turf after previously dispatching capital neighbours Crystal Palace and title rivals Liverpool.

Their defensive prowess remains unmatched, with the league’s best record of just 22 goals conceded, but despite their recent scoring streak, Newcastle know a thing or two about keeping out the Gunners.

Newcastle have been captivating audiences with their high-scoring exploits in February.

After a thrilling eight-goal draw with Luton and a narrow 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest, the Magpies welcomed Bournemouth to St James’ Park, where they twice fought back from behind to extend their unbeaten streak.

Dominic Solanke and Antoine Semenyo put the Cherries ahead twice, but Anthony Gordon’s penalty and a dramatic injury-time winner from an unlikely source – Matt Ritchie – sealed the points for Newcastle.

This resurgence comes after a tough run of form, especially during the festive period when they lost seven of their eight games. 

However, they have now only been beaten once in their last seven matches (W4, D2) across all competitions, reigniting their European ambitions.

While reaching the Champions League seems far-fetched at this stage, securing a spot in one of the other European tournaments is a more realistic target. 

The Magpies are currently perched at eighth position on the Premier League table, seven points adrift of sixth-placed Manchester United, so a Europa Conference League slot could be their best chance of securing continental football this season. 

However, defensive concerns linger as the Magpies haven’t kept a clean sheet in their last eight top-flight matches. 

Despite drawing 0-0 at the Emirates last season and securing a controversial 1-0 victory at home in November, Eddie Howe’s troops will need to tighten up at the back to overcome Arsenal on Saturday.

November’s defeat still stings for Arsenal manager Arteta, who labelled it a “disgrace” after VAR controversially allowed Gordon’s winner to stand. 

Revenge will be the backdrop of the game, and with both teams in impressive form, we could be treated to a captivating encounter at the Emirates on Saturday.

Match Preview

Arsenal are experiencing perhaps their best period under Arteta’s leadership, boasting a five-game winning streak in the league marked by an offensive explosion (21 goals) and defensive solidity (conceding just two shots on target and 0.9 expected goals (xG) in their last three league matches).

However, their midweek Champions League defeat to Porto cast a shadow of doubt, and Arteta’s men will be eager to shrug off that disappointment and rediscover their league form against a resurgent Newcastle.

The Magpies are usually a thorn in Arsenal’s side, emerging victorious in two of their last four meetings with the Gunners (D1, L1), so the Gunners will need to ensure there are no lingering vulnerabilities from their European setback if they’re to come away with a win.

Newcastle journey to the Emirates on a mission to end a 14-year winless streak on Arsenal’s turf and prove they’re back on track after a shaky patch.

While they’re hardly firing in the same way as their high-flying opponents, the Magpies have clawed their way back from a slump that saw them pick up just one win from eight games (D1, L6).

They’re on a five-match unbeaten run, including impressive back-to-back victories on the road. Their away form was previously a major concern but has started to show signs of life. 

Before January, their sole league win away from St. James’ Park was a record-breaking 8-0 thrashing of Sheffield United. 

However, consecutive triumphs at Aston Villa and Forest have instilled belief, and they now boast a four-game away winning streak across all competitions.

Newcastle’s only hiccup in their last seven games came against Pep Guardiola’s treble winners, where they fell in a thrilling 5-goal encounter. 

Despite the defeat, it showcased their fighting spirit and ability to cause problems for even the best, which should come in handy as they set their sights on the Emirates.

Team news & potential line-ups

Arsenal’s midfield might be boosted this weekend with the potential return of Thomas Partey, who has rejoined training but missed the midweek trip to Porto.

However, Gabriel Jesus remains a doubt, while Oleksandr Zinchenko and Takehiro Tomiyasu are unlikely to be fit for the upcoming contest.

Meanwhile, Newcastle could be handed a reprieve from their extensive injury list. Alexander Isak is hoping to make his return, and Joe Willock is also pushing for a spot in the squad.

Fabian Schar’s participation hinges on assessment due to a wrist injury, while several other first-team players remain sidelined, including Callum Wilson, Joelinton, and Nick Pope.

Arsenal potential starting line-up:

(4-3-3): David Raya; Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Jakub Kiwior; Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice, Jorginho; Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli.

Newcastle United potential starting line-up:

(4-3-3): Martin Dubravka; Kieran Trippier, Fabian Schar, Sven Botman, Dan Burn; Matty Longstaff, Bruno Guimaraes, Lewis Miley; Miguel Almiron, Anthony Gordon, Harvey Barnes.