Arsenal vs Newcastle United Preview: A Pivotal Game in the Gunners’ 22-Year Title Wait

Haaland’s smirking side-eye to the camera said it all.

Haaland and Manchester City’s win against Arsenal FC on Sunday opened the door to their seventh Premier League title in nine seasons.

After a 1-0 win at Turf Moor midweek, Pep Guardiola’s side went top for the first time since August.

“It’s not done,” Declan Rice said doggedly, as he crouched over in despair at full time at the Etihad.

Fail to beat Newcastle United, and it could be.

Season-defining moment for Arteta

The phrase “must-win” is bandied about too often in football, but in this case, it fits perfectly.

Arsenal simply cannot afford to fail to pick up three points in this game.

Losing away at City is forgivable. Losing at home to Bournemouth, less so.

Add in the loss to Southampton in the FA Cup, and their recent patch of form has threatened to seriously derail their season.

But a week is a long time in football, and winning against Newcastle can get their campaign back on track.

Rice was right, after all each team still has five more league games to play, and City’s run-in includes in-form Brentford and Bournemouth, as well as Champions League-chasing Aston Villa.

The Gunners have shown they have the ability to be champions, but they must overcome the external pressure and shake off their image as perennial “bottlers”.

A win would be a significant psychological boost as they head to Madrid for the Champions League semi-final on Wednesday.

Uncertain times for Howe

While the match is not nearly as critical for Newcastle’s season, it could be vital for Eddie Howe’s future.

The Magpies have lost their last four games in all competitions, including a 7-2 demolition at the Camp Nou and a last-minute home loss to Sunderland.

If their sluggish form continues until the end of the season, they could be overtaken by Leeds United and Nottingham Forest and end up 16th.

Finishing lower mid-table would be far below the pre-season expectations of qualifying for the Champions League.

With Iraola and Glasner potentially available in summer, Newcastle could start to look elsewhere.

Howe is fighting for his future. A result against Arsenal could reassure those above him that he is still the right man for the job.

Team News

Bukayo Saka and Riccardo Calafiori are expected to be back in the squad after their respective injuries, while Jurrien Timber and Mikel Merino are still out.

Newcastle are without the injured Anthony Gordon and Tino Livramento, while Joelinton is suspended after picking up ten yellow cards.

Predicted Line-ups

Arsenal XI

Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapié, Rice, Zubimendi, Ødegaard, Madueke, Eze, Havertz

Newcastle XI

Ramsdale, Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Hall, Tonali, Miley, Guimarães, Elanga, Osula, Barnes

Head-to-Head

Newcastle have lost 12 of their last 13 Premier League away games at Arsenal and have scored just one goal in their last nine trips to the Emirates.

That record underlines how difficult this fixture has been for the Magpies and why this may be one of Arsenal’s biggest remaining opportunities in the title race.