Arsenal travel to Tyenside to take on Newcastle United in the Premier League today, a massive match for both clubs Sidenote: I’m really tired of every game being a big, tough one but that’s the schedule for ‘ya! The Gunners can pick up points on Liverpool, who lost to Crystal Palace yesterday. The Magpies are languishing on 6 points this season, haven’t really gotten things going, and need to jumpstart their season. What better way to do that than to kick Arsenal off the pitch with impunity and referee
immunity?
I wish I was kidding. Newcastle have become a bogey team for Arsenal, in large part because their physical style mucks up matches. I say this fully conscious of where my personal bias lies, but I truly think that the refereeing in Arsenal-Newcastle matches, particularly ones at St. James’ Park, is more permissive towards toeing-the-line (often over-the-line) physicality. The upshot is that Arsenal under Mikel Arteta have only lost to Manchester City more times than they have Newcastle in the Premier League.
The stats suggest today’s contest will be a low-scoring one. Newcastle and Arsenal are first and second in xGA and tied-second and first in goals against in the Premier League. Arsenal have not scored in four of the last five trips to St. James’ Park. Newcastle have failed to score in 9 of 13 Premier League games against Arsenal. The Gunners have failed to score against the Magpies in six matches in all competitions under Mikel Arteta, only failing to score more frequently against Liverpool. Newcastle have scored just five goals in their last seven Premier League meetings with Arsenal but that has been good enough for a 3-2-2 record.
So naturally, it’ll be a high-scoring, end-to-end affair. Right? That’s typically how the football gods operate. They love to spit in the face of statistics. I know it goes against every fiber of Mikel Arteta’s being (I’m mostly kidding but not entirely) to get into track meet matches, but I think that Arsenal would win, rather comfortably, against Newcastle if it plays out like that. I don’t have much faith in the Newcastle attack (famous last words) and Arsenal have the talent to score in bunches.
Newcastle will be without new signing Yoanne Wissa, who has yet to debut for the club after picking up an injury on international duty last break. Jacob Ramsey, also a new addition, is out with an ankle injury that is expected to keep him in the training room until after the October break. Fabian Schar will miss out due to concussion protocols. Anthony Gordon returns from his 3-match suspension for his straight red card against Liverpool.
Arsenal do not have any new injury concerns coming out of the midweek Carabao Cup match but have plenty of ongoing ones to deal with. Martin Ødegaard’s status is up in the air as he continues to recover from a shoulder injury. Mikel Arteta did not give any insight into his availability for the match. Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, and Noni Madueke are all out with knee injuries. Arteta shared that Madueke has yet to undergo a scan on his knee following his injury against Manchester City. Piero Hincapie is likely out with his ongoing groin issue. Bukayo Saka is good to go after featuring against City and midweek against Port Vale after his latest hamstring injury.
Lineups will be posted when available.
WHAT: Arsenal at Newcastle United
WHERE: St. James’ Park, Newcastle
WHEN: Sunday, September 28th 8:30 am PT | 11:30 am ET | 4:30 pm BST
US TV: USA and UNIVERSO. Streaming on NBCSports.com
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