Newcastle United face Arsenal at St James’ Park on Sunday in a meeting of two sides still searching for rhythm at the start of the Premier League season. Both won in the EFL Cup in midweek, but league
games have yielded mixes results.
Arsenal arrive after a 2-2 draw with Manchester City. Pep Guardiola’s side had little of the ball, yet Mikel Arteta’s men failed to take advantage until Gabriel Martinelli struck in the 93rd minute to snatch a point for the Gunners. While they managed a routine win against Port Vale in the cup, doubts remain over Arsenal’s ability to dominate key games.
Newcastle have their own challenges and cannot brag that much compared to the Goons, if at all. Eddie Howe’s side have only three (no typo) league goals this season, the second-lowest Premier League tally at the start of MD6.
The Magpies, however, score four in midweek against Bradford City, with Will Osula and Joelinton netting twice each. Defensively, the Magpies have tightened up, keeping three straight league clean sheets, but consistency in front of goal remains elusive at best, nonexistent at worst.
The fixture history favours Newcastle. They have won their last three home matches against Arsenal without conceding, and another win on Sunday would mark their best run in this fixture since the 1960s.
Arsenal will be boosted by the return of Bukayo Saka, though Noni Madueke, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus remain unavailable.
Howe, meanwhile, will be without Fabian Schar, Yoane Wissa and Jacob Ramsey, though Sven Botman is fit after a minor scare. Nick Woltemade is expected to lead the line, supported by Anthony Gordon or Harvey Barnes, or perhaps both if the gaffer chooses so.
Here are some of Howe’s Wisdom Nuggets, courtesy of NUFC.co.uk
On the prospect of facing Arsenal…
“It has always been a competitive game against Arsenal, and there has been an edge to those games as both teams want to win.
“The more competitive we are, the better we play. We need to bring that to the game on Sunday.”
On Nick Woltemade…
“I see him as a (number) nine – he plays it differently to other strikers we’ve had in the past. It is about utilising Nick’s strengths.
“I was really impressed with him in the short time he had (against Bradford City) on Wednesday. He showed his creative flair.”
On Anthony Gordon, who returns from a three-match league suspension on Sunday…
“It is a big boost for us to have him back fully. He can really focus on the few games we have ahead of the next international break.
“I thought he was excellent against Bradford. He is a player that rises to the occasion, and we are going to need everyone to do that on Sunday.”
On team news and availability…
“We have a couple of players to check today, (but) no major injuries from the game.
“Jacob (Murphy) is doing okay – it is an issue we are managing. He is fit and available, but some days he has been sore, so we are just trying to manage his load.”
On Jacob Ramsey’s expected return date…
“His recovery is going well. He is on the grass working hard and building his fitness back up. I think it will be after the international break that we see him. Anything before that, then he will be ahead of schedule.”
On Will Osula’s brace against the Bantams in midweek…
“He did a lot of work, individual work,, last season, focused on all aspects of his game. He is here and he has done well.
“He had an excellent performance on Wednesday – two brilliant goals, and it could have been more.”
Howay!
- Date: Sunday, September 28th
- Kick-off: 16:30 BST / 11:30 EST
- Location: St. James’ Park, Newcastle (England)
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