Arsenal will be looking to bounce back from Saturday’s horror show at Anfield by facing one of the newer appointments within the Premier League. Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United will line up against The Gunners this Saturday in a Must win for both sides.
Contrasting form this campaign
With both sides currently positioned 5th and bottom of the Premier League, Mikel Arteta and Howe both have their reasons for needing a positive result Saturday lunchtime. Newcastle are still yet to win a Premier League game this season with a dismaying six draws and six defeats so far. Arsenal on the other hand managed to maintain fifth position in the league last week, but failure to win Saturday could see them drop as far as 9th in the table and, with some huge fixtures coming up in December. This could be fatal.
Tomorrow’s game v Newcastle marks Joe Willock’s return to Emirates Stadium and is a must win for both sides
— Dan George (@dangeorge47) November 26, 2021
Newcastle will be fighting for their first 3 points of the season whilst failure for Arsenal to win could see them drop as low as 9th with some big fixtures on the horizon pic.twitter.com/PJoEAsTZTt
Team News
Arsenal come into this tie with only two first team Injuries. Granit Xhaka and Sead Kolasinac remain out. Mikel Arteta is hopeful that Xhaka will return to first team training before the new year whilst the north London club are aiming for Kolasinac to return to full training in January.
Newcastle defender Paul Dummet is the only first team player who is known to be out for this tie as he is yet to return from a calf injury.
Fabien Schar went down injured during the 3-3 draw with Brentford and was substituted shortly after however it is currently unknown as to the extent of his injury.
Predicted line ups
Arsenal: Ramsdale, Tomiyashu, White, Gabriel, Tierney, Partey, Maitland Niles, Saka, Ødegaard, Smith Rowe, Aubameyang. (4-2-3-1)
Newcastle: Dubravka; Schar, Lascelles, Clark; Murphy, Willock, Shelvey, Ritchie; Joelinton, Wilson, Saint-Maximin. (3-4-3)
Newcastle’s poor record so far
As mentioned earlier The Magpies are yet to record a win this campaign with six draws and six defeats making up their record so far this season. The fanbase and first team squad have been unsettled due to the long process of the takeover at ownership level as well as a change in management. The hope is that Eddie Howe will bring some well needed stability to the club and a new brand of attacking football that Newcastle fans can associate with. The aim for this season has to be remaining in the Premier League as relegation would be seen as a serious bump in the road with the vision of the new ownership.
Ones to watch
After Mikel Arteta’s side suffered defeat at Anfield on Friday, the players will be fired up ready to amend the previous week’s performance. Martin Ødegaard could be a player bought in to make an impact on the squad this week as Alex Lacazette could be rested. Ødegaard has played a bit part in the side since Lacazette’s inclusion and, has been left to make appearances and cameos off the bench. This could be the perfect opportunity for the Norwegian to stake a claim to remain in this side and create for the talented forwards surrounding him.
Joe Willock will be returning to familiar surroundings for the first time since his £25 million move to Tyneside and could be ready to prove a point this weekend. The Gunners sold one of their Hale End products this summer after deciding the 22 year old wasn’t part of the long term plan at the club. The England u21 international will no doubt receive a warm reception on his return but, as soon as the whistle blows, He could become a serious dangerman for the Magpies, looking to threaten the Arsenal backline with his pace and late runs into the box.
How to watch
This game will be available to watch on BT Sport 1 from 11:30 am.
