April is nearing its end, and Arsenal will be none the happier to get past their worst month of the season. One win from the past six matches have seen the Gunners’ lose in the Carabao Cup final and get dumped out of the FA Cup by a Championship side, while their title hopes were put on life support after last Sunday’s 2-1 loss at Manchester City.
The remainder of the Premier League season has officially become a now-or-never run For the Gunners. The final five matches were always going to be critical,
but the margin for error has vanished with City level on points but overtaking Arsenal for first place on goal difference after defeating Burnley 1-0 midweek.
After struggling against a run of in-form sides, the Gunners have an opportunity to right the ship with similarly out-0f-form Newcastle coming to the Emirates. Effectively out of a European spot, the Magpies enter the tie with little to play for and a few key absences.
But if there is one thing Arsenal have struggled with, it’s taking care of business when absolutely necessary. Playing down to the opposition has become a marked symptom of an exhausting, injury-laden season for Mikel Arteta’s side, and the Magpies have been a frustrating foe in recent seasons.
Even so, it’s still in Arsenal’s hands, even if it doesn’t feel much like it. Saturday is a chance to put the pressure back on City, who don’t play a league match until May 4th, with a win. The Gunners have endured a miserable month filled with regret, missed opportunities, and self-inflicted tension. Hosting a tough Newcastle side desperate to find their own footing, things don’t get any easier.
Backed up against a wall, can the Gunners rise to the occasion, rediscover some form, and get a result when it matters most to stay in the title race?
Here are three talking points ahead of Saturday’s match:
Know the Enemy
Newcastle enter Saturday’s match in 14th place on 42 points with a record of 12W/6D/15L.
The Magpies have become this season’s regression club. After winning the Carabao Cup and finishing 5th to earn a Champions League berth last season, they have taken a few major stumbles backwards and find themselves stuck in the bottom half of the table with nothing to left to play for but pride.
Their current run of form hasn’t helped their plight. Newcastle are winless since the beginning of March, when they managed to beat Manchester United at the death with 10 men. Since that result, it’s been tough sledding. They have lost six of their last seven matches across all competitions, including a 7-2 demolition at the hands of Barcelona in the Champions League. Stretching further back, they have only managed 4 PL wins since the New Year.
Losing Alexander Isak to Liverpool over the summer was sure to be felt throughout the season, but his absence is hardly the reason for their downturn in form. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly where things have gone awry, as the talent on the roster is certainly capable of results. Players like Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon have shined, while attacker William Osula has become a reliable threat up top in recent weeks.
Thanks to a staunch, veteran defense, they are not easily undone. Most of their recent losses have come by one goal margins, while their past three losses have been particularly brutal for the Tyneside club. Against Sunderland, Crystal Palace, and Bournemouth, the Magpies looked headed toward draws before being sunk late on, with each match decided by goals scored after the 85th minute.
Arsenal get a bit of a break with Joelinton missing out as he serves the second of a two-match ban for his 10th yellow card of the season. The Magpies will also be without Emil Krafth, Fabian Schar, and Tino Livramento. Anthony Gordon is a doubt as he deals with a groin/hip issue.
Injuries & Suspensions
The Gunners left it all on the pitch at the Etihad, and fortunately didn’t pick up any new knocks along the way. Noni Madueke was subbed at half-time, which was likely precautionary after coming off injured against Sporting last Wednesday.
With the season nearing the end, the lack of updates on Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber has become concerning. With each passing missed match, it becomes more and more unlikely they reach top form before it is all done and dusted. Still, there is always hope.
OUT: Mikel Merino (foot), Bukayo Saka (Achilles), Jurrien Timber (groin)
DOUBT: Riccardo Calafiori (knock)
Predicted Lineup
Attack: Eze, Havertz, Madueke
Regardless of the final scoreline, last Sunday showed us at least one reason for optimism. I’m talking, of course, about the attack.
Eberechi Eze and Kai Havertz, starting at left wing and striker, elevated an attack that had been spinning its wheels for weeks. Havertz’ created the Gunners lone goal with his pressing, which has been badly missed this season. No slight on Viktor Gyökeres, but he simply doesn’t create or score that sort of goal.
Meanwhile, Eze’s ability to carry inside from wide areas created a lot of good chaos. He kept City’s defenders honest and made a few excellent runs to open up space. Both Eze and Havertz were unfortunate to not score in the second half with efforts just narrowly missing the mark, but both were in excellent positions to make things happen. Another start is a fitting reward for their efforts.
On the right, Noni Madueke was ok. He’s still got a lot of work to do with his end product and defensive work, but his pace is a huge asset. With Bukayo Saka still out, Gabriel Martinelli is a potential shout for the right wing. He’ll be eager to put Sunday behind him, with the lone highlight of his second half cameo coming from his failure to track Nico O’Reilly en route to City’s winner.
Midfield: Rice, Zubimendi, Ødegaard
The midfield were vastly better than when Arsenal played City in the Carabao Cup final last month. It’s amazing what can happen when you get to play with an actual 10 in the midfield.
Declan Rice was immense, especially in the first half when he played in a much more advanced 8 role. He cut out a few balls high up the pitch and created some attacking chances out of sheer effort.
Martin Ødegaard was solid, if unspectacular. That he played 90 minutes was a surprise, but he didn’t look any worse for wear as the match wore down. Still, he will need to be bolder with the stakes higher than ever.
Martin Zubimendi was a bit anonymous. There weren’t any major moments where he stood out, positively or negatively. He has shown plenty of quality this season, and hopefully there’s still enough left in his legs for the final stretch.
Defense: Calafiori, Gabriel, Saliba, White
Arsenal’s defense were good enough to win on Sunday, but were undone by two moments of individual brilliance.
Gabriel and William Saliba battled Erling Haaland all match and were perilously close to keeping him off the scoresheet until his second half goal. Still, they were up to the task and played with fire, with Gabriel testing the limits of the ref’s tolerance.
With goals in short supply, Arteta may turn to his two more offensively-minded defenders in Riccardo Calafiori (if fit) and Ben White to help aide in the attack. Even if Jurrien Timber is available for Saturday, he will need to be eased back in to get match fitness. Piero Hincapie and Cristhian Mosquera were decent against City, but don’t offer much going forward. It may be time for the manager to pull all the stops and play more front-footed in his defensive alignment.
Keeper: Raya
For the second consecutive match, David Raya nearly gave a cheap goal away after dawdling on the ball too long. There were also a few corners where he was caught out of position, but the defense was there to neutralize the threat. He has been Arsenal’s rock all season, and will need to shake off last week’s frustration ahead of Saturday.
We are firmly in the “must win” phase of the season thanks to the last two results. City’s mid-week win means that Arsenal have to respond. The best bet that Arsenal have of nicking City to the title is by winning out, and piling on some goals along the way, and neither of those things have been easy to come by lately. If this team fancy themselves champions, then it’s time to finally take the handbrake off and play with urgency, intention, and conviction.
As Declan Rice said in the wake of Sunday’s result – It’s not over.
WHO: Arsenal vs Newcastle United
WHAT: Premier League match day 34
WHEN: Saturday, April 25th, 12:30pm EST/9:30am PST/5:30pm GMT
WHERE: The Emirates Stadium, London
HOW TO WATCH: Broadcast live on the USA Network
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