In what is their final home game of the campaign, Arsenal come into this one sitting five points clear of sixth placed Aston Villa with six points to play for. The Gunners have taken their eye off the ball in the Premier League in order to focus on the UEFA Champions League.
They did fight back from 2-0 down at Anfield against champions Liverpool to earn themselves a 2-2 draw last weekend but that result does now mean that Mikel Arteta’s side have managed just three victories in their last ten matches across all competitions.
Newcastle United have a really good opportunity to finish as high as runners’ up in the Premier League for the first time this century to go with their EFL Cup that they win in mid-March, ending their long trophy drought.
Eddie Howe’s Magpies have been magnificent since mid-December and they come into this one on the back of a crucial 2-0 defeat of Chelsea at St James’ Park last weekend thanks to an early goal from Sandro Tonali and a late goal from Bruno Guimaraes.
In his pre-match press conference, Mikel Arteta has confirmed he will make a late call on Kai Havertz, who resumed training in midweek. Both Leandro Trossard and Declan Rice are also doubtful for the Gunners. Gabriel Martinelli hobbled out of training, whilst Jurrien Timber was not spotted. Mikel Merino is missing through suspension.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Raya; White, Saliba, Kiwior, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Partey, Lewis-Skelly; Saka, Trossard, Martinelli.
Eddie Howe has said that he is ‘not sure’ as to whether Sven Botman will be fit enough to face Arsenal this weekend. The Magpies are also unlikely to be without either Kieran Trippier or Joelinton as well, whilst Joe Willock has a ‘slight chance’ of featuring against his former club.
Predicted XI (3-4-3): Pope; Krafth, Schar, Burn; Murphy, Guimaraes, Tonali, Livramento; Barnes, Isak, Gordon.
