Arsenal welcome Newcastle United to Emirates Stadium in a pivotal clash between two sides entrenched in the Premier League’s top three and this is the team Mikel Arteta has announced.
With just two matches remaining, Arsenal sit second on 68 points, narrowly ahead of third-placed Newcastle on 66, and both are keen to cement their place among Europe’s elite next season.
The Gunners approach this fixture amid a challenging run of form. Their recent 2-2 draw at Anfield stretched their winless streak to three league matches, and they are also without a victory in their last four home games in all competitions, including back-to-back defeats. Despite these struggles, Arsenal’s record in this fixture is imposing: they have lost only one of their last 20 Premier League home games against Newcastle, winning 17 and drawing two. Historically, Arsenal have been formidable in their final home league matches, losing just once in the last 27 seasons.
However, Arsenal has faltered in recent weeks, with a three-match winless streak at the Emirates dating back to mid-April. Still, they have collected 36 points from 18 home league fixtures, underlining their overall strength in north London.
Defensively, Arsenal have generally been solid at home, conceding less frequently than most, but will need to be wary of a Newcastle side buoyed by recent results. The Magpies arrive on the back of a 2-0 win over Chelsea and an eight-wins-in-ten run in all competitions, though they have not won in their last two away league outings. Newcastle claimed a 1-0 victory in the reverse fixture and are aiming to complete a league double over Arsenal for the first time since 1994-95.
With both teams separated by just two points and Chelsea, Aston Villa and Manchester City still in pursuit, the stakes could not be higher. Arsenal will be determined to rediscover their home form and maintain their proud end-of-season record, knowing that a win would keep them firmly in the driving seat to claim second place.
Not even sure we can deliver in today’s game. But hopefully the players honour the badge.
Hopefully the massive clearout happens in the summer.
Martinelli.
Trossard. Odegaard. Saka.
Rice. Partey.
Skelly. Kiwior. Saliba. White.
Raya.
Calafiori looks good when he carries the ball
No Isak lol
Or Joelinton.
Maybe Isak head has been turn by how interest in him, haven’t heard of any injury to him.
We are not getting Isak
No Isak for Newcastle. I wanted to watch him shake the Arsenal backline again and see how they try to cope.
He is not available so we should try and win this one.
Is Trossard starting upfront? Isn’t he better on the wings?
He’ll switch with Martinelli throughout the game
Let’s go!!!
I presume Timber is injured and the fans’ favourite is back from injury and on the bench
Havertz fans’ favourite! 😂
I guess that’s sacarsm.
I believe he splits the fans into 2 sides.
Saka and Saliba can be called fans’ favourite.
SJ
I like him but he’s Marmite
His presence is polarizing due to his pay package, which shouldn’t be any fault of his
I can tell you do like him.
I like his running around, hard work and marking.
But I don’t like his goal misses, passes and productivity.
I believe his best position is as a 10 behind a good striker.
He is not good as a Striker or Central midfielder.
Raya doing his best to give Newcastle a head start. Appreciate he made two great saves, but he wouldn’t have needed to if he didn’t pass the ball straight out to the opposition.
Burn vs saka in the air 😲.Wtf raya keep it on the ground
Havertz is not a fan but arteta favorite
If we can’t beat a Newcastle side without Issac and JL, it would rank as a major disappointment in what has been for me a frustrating season.With Newcastle playing a back three Murphy and Liveramento could cause us real problems as wing backs.
So the Big German is on the bench, somthing tells me he was eyeing the champions league final.
All Arsenal needed to do was just to reach the final for Kia Havertz to win it for us, he’s a big game player alright
He played last season and we didn’t win anything
Arsenal seen to b playing ruby keep kicking the ball into touch raya especially
Raya must b the worst goalie with the ball at his feet but the best shotstopper 🤔
I’ve been praising Raya recently but he’s made two unforced errors passing out already today. Not good from him.
True
But his saves have kept us in it so far
Must the ball break the player hand for us to get a penalty
Our set plays looks toothless in the absence of the big Brazilian
Defence is all over the place
Golden Glove would be well deserved on the strength of the first 15 minutes
Golden glove maybe but iron boot for his kicking
👍
We have been so poor right now to watch
Disastrous season
I thought we were the home team. Seems like we’re on the back foot hoping for a goal on the break. Seems Isaak wasn’t the problem after all, because they don’t seem to be missing him.
Newcastle is playing so confident, the two recent wins seems to have inspired them
Zero pressing like most of the season, very poor tactics. We’ve looked flat for half a year now.
Newcastle cutting through us like a knife though butter, no resistance at all.
Cheque Book rookies going to need a lot of funds to give that “post transfer window” boost he relies on
Rice is not fit Newcastle could b 4 up burn just run at tbfg
I’d laugh but it’s not funny watching this shile of pite. Awful
Our attack is about as sharp as a Banana Sue.
Not about the result today but in general does any really watch this and think this will be win us a title ?
Odeagard gone Miss AGAIN we play like robots partey playing like a OAP
Partey and Trossard are the only outfield players that are even putting anything close to a shift in this game .
The setup is painful , the management is trash as always, but as usual we will make excuses for the manager.
It’s funny how we all differ in opinions as I thought Party was awful as he gave the ball away a few times but he also like our centre backs lives to play eith the ball by putting his foot on the ball then doing a little turn then passing the ball sideways to the person he could have passed to 30 odd seconds ago
I agree that Partey’s not been on it lately
He certainly doesn’t seem to be playing as if he wants a new contract that’s for sure.
Newcastle have the time whilst defending not just to set up some tables and chairs, but to sit down at them and eat afternoon tea! Our build-up play is just so sluggish.
We are completely outplayed
Tactically we are out coached
Lots of issues to address. Too far away from potential title winning side
Best bit about the first half was there was no added time
It’s being kind calling that half tepid
End of season feel about it
I hear what you’re saying but the seasons not over yet, we’ve still to qualify for the big boys league.
Yeah but we need a point out of two games
Toon will take a point
Got that end of season feel about it
Lucky its still 0-0 Newcastle look more threatening in attack and only saves from Raya (whose kicking is a liability) have kept us in it. Our football is to deliberate and slow. Odergaard yet again is a passenger. Get the kid on.
I don’t think of Odegaard as a passenger. I thought Rice was almost invisible
At least Rice passes the ball to his own team Sue. And Rice has done his bit recently?
I was only remarking about today Reggie
Maybe the word passenger threw me
Odegaard is trying- which doesn’t help if he’s not delivering the right passes
When a goal keeper is a leading candidate for man of the match, it does not argue well for said team
Not looking good at all. We probably should be down 2 or 3 goals. Big work to do next season. New wingers (both flanks) needed. A creative midfielder as well. Rice -Partey combo doesn’t offer much going forward.
It’s ridiculous how much referee allow Newcastle to play rough and foul repeatedly without punishment. It’s been a few years they are like that you’d think the referee would have caught on their dirty play.
The Magpies could’ve scored a couple of goals from corners and their counter-attacks were effective to deal with our high-possession football
If we sign a towering CF after the season ends, our LB should be encouraged to make more long crosses
To think there are thousands of us who hope to get lucky in the ballots so we can watch this aimless team play.
Is Saliba injured?
Probably saving him for the Southampton game as if we lose today we’ll need a result against them!
…RICE!!!!
Berta timing is perfect just in time to help the gaffer reorganize this outfit
Don’t shoot, ya don’t score. How about that from big Dec. Stop the pass, pass, pass and have a shot, you just never know.
Rice Rice baby
One of those games where it was going to take something like that
I always think Trossard is good in these tight games
Rice at half price
Blimey O’Reilly
That was a screamer from Rice
Lucky, lucky Arsenal to be a goal up on the strength of the first half
Come on! Don’t let the barcodes back into it. Let’s bury them!
I still can’t believe odergaard did something right.
i wouldn’t doubt Kai Havertz scoring on his return
…COYG!
We plan to invest, to Dan and others who think we have to sell first
Jesus, Zinchenko must be sold
I don’t know about contract situation of Tierney
He should also leave
Tierney’s going back to Celtic
When did I say that lol ?
Simon Hooper blatant match fixing ?
Hooper’s been good.
Ridiculous mucking about when clean away and then giving it back to Newcastle. Pointless and unnecessary nonsense that could cost the win
Three consecutive second and a champions league semifinal and some wants the gaffer head on a pole🙂
2 consecutive 2nds is praiseworthy but 3 is not praiseworthy as you might think. Add to that no trophy in his 6 years tenure it basically confirms he has reached his ceiling.
Have you forgotten the FA Cup win in 2020 ?
2nd place finishes should have been a clue that we are talking about EPL.
“Add to that no trophy in his 6 years tenure”.
Those are your words AFTER posting about coming 2nd 3 times 🙄.
EPL trophy
And what other trophy after your cherished FA cup have we won since? Not that I expect you to have an answer.
None. I’ll always answer, unlike you.
I cherish every trophy, especially after seeing us lose so many Cup Finals, both domestic and abroad.
So you must be cherishing Wengers 7 FA cup trophies 7 more times is that right?
Correct.
“Those are your words AFTER posting about coming 2nd 3 times 🙄”
Have we come 2nd 3 times in FA Cup?
Your post that I first replied said that we had finished 2nd 3 times in the PL.
Arsenal haven’t won the EPL for over 20 years mate…..
And for the first two seasons of Arteta tenure nobody expects league triumph… Leaving three full season…
So more like Arteta has failed to win the league title in three seasons 😔😔
In other words if he won’t reach the top (failed 3 times in a row now) the only other way is down.
But no regression HD, for three years in a row, while progression made in the CL – quarter final and then semi final.
I remember how long it took Liverpool to win the PL and city to win the CL.
I guess it’s down to a person being a half full glass or half empty – I’m the former, with no further contract extension if the wine is found to be corked!!
I would say we regressed this season unfortunately
In what way Dan?
In the PL?
In the CL?
In the FA cup?
In the Carabo cup?
In the support of the club?
Money coming into the club?
Promoting the Hales End academy?
That’s seven areas that you can give me examples of our regression and you might have others you wish to add?
Last season we finished 2 points behind the Champions, this season it will be more
Most of all and I can’t claim this enough mate I think the standard of football has been poor compared to how we played last season and the season before
Mmmm here’s the answers.
PL 2nd again, so no regression.
CL semi final so progression
FA cup regression.
Carabo cup semi final so progression.
Emirates rocking so no regression in support of the club.
Money from CL over £100 million without gate receipts etc so no regression.
Hales End players Skelly and Nwaneri so no regression.
The points don’t matter, as we finished second.
Style of football completely influenced by the horrendous injury list including long term or season ending for Tomiyasu, Gabriel, White, Califiori, Odegaard, Saka, Martinelli, Havertz and Jesus.
Only regression I can see is the fa cup, so, once again, we see things differently.
Or in another view we can say that league’s become much more competitive this season than previous. We see middle and low end teams challenge and take points off the traditional top teams. We saw the emergence of teams like Bournemouth, Villa, Palace, Forest and even Brighton all giving top teams fierce competition. Little wonder we see the likes of Man United and Spurs where they are despite success in Europe, and City despite huge January investment , including a prolific striker, still playing catch up. It’s only Liverpool who’s found the quality and consistency to the storm, which is a big kudos to them. It shouldn’t be used as stick to flog Arsenal who’s finished second above the rest 18 teams.
Consistency to weather the storm
These types of nuanced views are generally rubbished by certain fans.
It’s difficult to say we have actually regressed given the injuries to the squad.
In his own words made , don’t accept it
In owners words , only trophies are success
And what do you expect from them Dan?
Like Arteta saying we’re proud of finishing second again?
Nope
Simply pointing out for those who seem to think 2nd is success
But not all success can be measured with trophies..
Depends mate
Yes if your a Bouemouth or say a Brentford success isn’t measured by trophies
But for Arsenal it is
Don’t blame me , our owners and manager said as much
So was Arsene a failure when he didn’t win trophies Dan, or is there a different standard for one over another?
I never said Arteta was a failure ?
So when Arsenal didn’t win trophies while Arsene was the manager, was that failure?
Was finishing 2nd then, did you see that as failure?
It hasn’t been the season we wanted but look where we were 6 years ago. I’ve never particularly like Arteta’s man management skills but then like most i don’t know what goes on behind the scenes, I love this club and I have wrote many times on here with my heart rather than my head and for that I sincerely apologise if ever I’ve offended anyone but I also believe we can win the title next season with 2 or 3 good signings. Great to be back in the champions league best wishes all
Very positive post Perry
Supporting your club is never plain sailing
Today was never plain sailing
But the team got through and we have guaranteed second place. No bitten finger nails next weekend
A very hard fought win. First half was quite poor, but obviously Mikel had words at halftime and we came out much better. Terrific goal by Rice, supplied by a top pass by Odegaard. Not sure what’s happened to Saka, but his shooting has gone right off.