Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal host Alan Pardew’s in form Newcastle United side in Saturday’s Evening Live Sky Sports event.
Arsenal
Arsene Wenger’s men will be looking to put to rest the memories of last Saturday’s first half collapse at the hands of Stoke City and get back on track in the Premier League. Wenger rested a few notable names for the visit to Turkey as his second choice XI swept aside a poor Galatasaray side.
Arsenal currently sit 6th and are a whopping 13 points behind league leaders Chelsea, this is Arsenal’s worst start to a campaign since 1987 and the most realistic they can hope for from this Premier league season would be a top four finish.
Newcastle
Alan Pardew’s Newcastle side will be in buoyant mood after their well deserved 2-1 home win over a then undefeated Mourinho Chelsea side who were nullified and made to look ordinary, quite an achievement for Newcastle who have turned a corner under Pardew.
The Magpies are right on Arsenal’s coat tails, only goal difference separates them from tomorrow’s opponents and this could be a morale booster for Newcastle if they manage to heap more pressure on the already under fire Wenger.
Injury News
Arsenal
Arsenal have a fresh injury concern for tomorrow’s clash with 2 goal hero Aaron Ramsey missing after picking up a hamstring injury in midweek. Other fresh injury concerns are Laurent Koscielny and Nacho Monreal who have calf and ankle injuries respectively. Calum Chambers is also unavailable due to his red card he picked up against Stoke.
Arsenal are still without Jack Wilshere, Mesut Ozil, Abou Diaby, Mikel Arteta, Theo Walcott and David Ospina. However there are expected returns for Olivier Giroud, Danny Welbeck and Alexis Sanchez who were all rested for the Champions League win.
Newcastle
There is no better news for Alan Pardew as he has no less than 9 players unavailable. Both first team goalkeepers Tim Krul and Rob Elliot have both been ruled out due to ankle and hip injuries respectively. Other absentees include Ryan Taylor (knee), Davide Santon (knee), Siem De Jong (thigh), Gabriel Obertan (thigh) and Rolando Aarons (hamstring).
Arguably the biggest loss will be the unavailability of both Steven Taylor and midfield powerhouse Moussa Sissoko who was immense last time out, both players are suspended.
Head To Head
Arsenal have won five league matches in a row against Newcastle.
They have scored 12 goals in their previous three matches against Newcastle at the Emirates.
Newcastle have won just two of their last 28 meetings with Arsenal in all competitions (W2, D8, L18).
Arsenal
Arsenal have lost three of their last five league matches.
They have only suffered one defeat in their seven league games at the Emirates this season, but they have also drawn three of those games (W3, D3, L1).
The Gunners have come from behind to draw or win in four of those seven home games.
Arsenal haven’t scored in the first half of any of their last six league matches.
Alexis Sanchez has either scored or assisted nine of Arsenal’s last 13 Premier League goals (seven goals, two assists).
Newcastle
Newcastle have won six of their last eight Premier League matches.
Only Manchester City (16) and Manchester United (15) have won more points than Newcastle (13) from the last six games.
Seven of Newcastle’s league goals this season have been scored by substitutes – more than any other top-flight side.
The Magpies are the only team yet to score in the opening 30 minutes of their league matches this season. Their earliest goal this season has come in the 37th minute.
Since the start of last season, Newcastle have been shown more red cards than any other Premier League side (nine).
Possible Teams
Arsenal
Szczesny, Bellerin, Debuchy, Mertesacker, Gibbs, Flamini, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Cazorla, Sanchez, Welbeck, Giroud
Newcastle
Alnwick, Janmaat, Coloccini, Dummett, Haidara, Tiote, Colback, Cabella, Perez, Ameobi, Cisse
Prediction
Arsenal 2-0 Newcastle
