Arsenal will be hoping to avoid the same fate as their North London Rivals when they visit St. James’ Park for a crucial Premier League tie against Newcastle on Sunday. Ryan Liberty previews.
Newcastle vs Arsenal
Premier League
Sunday 7 May – 17:30
St. James’ Park
Newcastle and Arsenal – when you consider how things have gone for each club over the last few seasons – have enjoyed exceptional campaigns and will look forward to Champions League football next season.
For Newcastle, the tumultuous reign of Mike Ashley seems a distant memory now as Eddie Howe forges a new identity for a side who have flattered to deceive in recent seasons. Champions League football, new – albeit controversial – ownership and a group of players upon which a title push can be built has the Toon faithful purring.
It has been a season of what-ifs for the Gunners. That second-half capitulation at Anfield gave way to draws against Southampton and West Ham before a 4-1 drubbing at Manchester City sounded the death knell to the Premier League aspirations.
To Win Match
Newcastle 11/8 | Draw 13/5 | Arsenal 1/1
There was a period earlier this season where it looked as if Newcastle may slip out of top-four contention. Between 31 December and 4 March, their league form read DDWDDDLL. Fortunately for Howe and his charges, neither Liverpool nor Spurs were really able to capitalise and close the gap.
They’ve since steadied the ship, winning eight of their nine subsequent fixtures. In that period they’ve netted an astonishing 26 goals, including six against Tottenham. At the time of writing, they’re six points ahead of fifth-placed Liverpool having played one game fewer.
They were made to dig deep against Southampton at home last Sunday, having to come back from a goal down to win 3-1. Mental fortitude is a massive part of building a winning culture at a club – just ask Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp – and Newcastle have proven themselves in this regard. Lesser sides may have capitulated after enduring a run where they only picked up eight points in eight games.
All of Newcastle’s top goal scorers are outperforming their respective xG’s with Callum Wilson scoring 15 (xG 13.52), Miguel Almiron netting 11 (xG 6.35) times and Alexander Issac finding the back of the net on 10 (xG 7.29) times. At the other end of the pitch, Nick Pop boasts the second-most clean sheets (13) this season. Solidity up and down the pitch have made turned this side into a formidable unit.
A record-breaking April for @CallumWilson and @NUFC 🤩 pic.twitter.com/ktCeeGvXOV
— Premier League (@premierleague) April 30, 2023
While Mikel Arteta might be putting up a brave face in public, declaring that his side haven’t given up. However, the reality of the situation must surely have dawned on him. Arsenal blew their title charge in the home straight with that shocking run of results starting with the 2-2 draw at Liverpool.
While Champions League qualification will do little to ease the heartbreak, this campaign would have done these Gunners no harm. They’ll come back refreshed and ready to go again next season.
Before that, however, they need to negotiate a tricky run in, starting with this tie at Newcastle. As expected, they brushed a woeful Chelsea team aside with disdain on Tuesday but will know they face an infinitely tougher task here. When Newcastle get up in front of their partisan support, they can take anyone apart.
They absolutely must win this game if they are to keep their (very slim) title hopes alive. They’re a point off the defending champions having played one game more. Key to their hopes will be Danish sensation Martin Ødegaard. He was top-class against Chelsea, scoring twice, assisted on both occasions by Granit Xhaka.
Gabriel Jesus also managed to get on the scoresheet, netting his first goal since the 2-2 draw against West Ham. His silky feet could be key in opening up a stubborn Newcastle defence.
Verdict: Newcastle 15/10
There aren’t many more hostile places you can go to than St. James’ Park, and with memories of that recent 6-1 demolition job against Tottenham still fresh in the mind, the home faithful will be baying for blood.
This is a particularly tough game to call, with both sides enjoying such excellent seasons. I just feel, however, that Arsenal know their race is run. Any complacency will be capitalised upon by the hosts.
