Newcastle - Arsenal Previa

• Empate o victoria del Arsenal
• Menos de 2,5 goles

The early weeks of the season have not been kind to Newcastle, who arrive at this fixture desperate to shake off their goal-shy tag. Their Premier League matches have provided little in the way of entertainment, producing just six total goals across five outings – a joint-low in the division. Five of those came in their humbling defeat against Liverpool, which further exposed the absence of Alexander Isak up front. The Magpies’ attacking struggles stretch back into last season too, as they have failed to score in five of their last seven league games. That run has inevitably taken a toll, leaving Eddie Howe’s side four points worse off than they were at this stage last season.

While their lack of cutting edge is a concern, Newcastle have at least remained solid at the back. With four clean sheets already on the board and fewer shots faced than any other side after five rounds (37), they have shown resilience in defence. It means that should they rediscover their sharpness in front of goal, they could yet climb back up the table quickly. St James’ Park remains a difficult place for visitors, though back-to-back home defeats earlier this year will still weigh on supporters’ minds.

Arsenal arrive in the north-east with frustrations of their own. The Gunners could only manage a 1-1 draw with Manchester City in their most recent league match, despite being on the front foot for much of the contest. While manager Mikel Arteta took pride in the performance, the result left his side trailing leaders Liverpool by five points heading into the round. Dropped points in high-profile matches are a recurring theme for Arsenal, and questions linger about their ability to make a genuine title push if they cannot turn such performances into victories.

The visitors can at least take confidence from their strong away record. They have lost just one of their last 16 Premier League road fixtures (W8, D7), but tellingly, that defeat came in their most recent trip against Liverpool. Even more worryingly, the only two times they have lost consecutive away games in the league since May 2022 saw the second defeat come at St James’ Park. This underlines the danger of this fixture for Arteta’s men, who need three points to ensure they do not lose further ground in the title race.

Historia del cara a cara

This is a fixture that has recently swung heavily in Newcastle’s favour at St James’ Park. The Magpies have won the last three league meetings on home soil against Arsenal without conceding, and they now stand on the brink of winning four in a row for the first time since August 1969.

Arsenal’s overall record in the fixture remains superior, but their struggles in this stadium are hard to ignore. For Arteta personally, the Magpies have become one of his trickiest opponents, with only Manchester City inflicting more away defeats on him during his tenure. The sense of history repeating itself will weigh heavily on the Arsenal manager and his squad.

Estadísticas y rachas

• Newcastle have scored inside the opening 20 minutes of their last two home meetings with Arsenal.
• The Magpies boast the lowest expected goals against (xGA) total in the Premier League so far this season (2.6).
• Six of Arsenal’s ten league goals this season have arrived in the 15 minutes either side of half-time.
• Mikel Arteta has lost four away games against Newcastle – second only to his five losses at Manchester City.

Key Players to Watch and Missing Players

Anthony Gordon remains central to Newcastle’s hopes of sparking their attack into life. The forward has directly contributed to a goal in four of his last six matches against Arsenal (three goals, one assist).

Yet despite this record, his finishing has deserted him this season, failing to score from ten shots in the league. If Newcastle are to get a result here, he will need to rediscover his clinical touch.

For Arsenal, Bukayo Saka is on the verge of history. The England international sits on 99 goal involvements in the Premier League (54 goals, 45 assists) and will be eager to reach a century at St James’ Park.

His creativity and ability to score in big matches makes him one of the most reliable performers in Arteta’s squad, and Arsenal will need him at his best to unlock Newcastle’s stubborn back line.

In terms of availability, Newcastle will be without Fabian Schär, who is recovering from a head injury. Arsenal’s injury list features Kai Havertz and Noni Madueke, but there is optimism that Martin Ødegaard could return in time for this clash, offering the Gunners a timely boost in midfield.

Predicción

This clash pits Newcastle’s defensive resilience against Arsenal’s attacking depth, with both sides having plenty to prove. The Magpies have been strong at the back but desperately need to address their lack of goals if they are to climb the table. Their record against Arsenal at home provides reason for optimism, especially as they have shut the visitors out in three consecutive meetings at St James’ Park.

Arsenal, meanwhile, will be desperate to avoid another slip in their pursuit of Liverpool. They have performed well away from home in recent months but have struggled in this particular fixture, and their wastefulness in big matches has already cost them points this season. With Saka chasing a milestone and Ødegaard potentially back in contention, Arsenal certainly have the quality to win, but Newcastle’s defensive solidity should not be underestimated.

Given Newcastle’s struggles in front of goal and Arsenal’s occasional hesitancy in big away games, a cagey affair seems likely. The Magpies may have enough to frustrate their visitors again, but the Gunners will not want to lose more ground in the title race.

Prediction: Newcastle 0-1 Arsenal

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Newcastle United v Arsenal | 2025/2026 | Premier League | Overview