Newcastle United will look to end their winless run in the Premier League when they welcome Arsenal this weekend.
The Magpies haven’t won a top-flight match since a 2-1 victory over Wolves in September, and they are starting to slip down the table.
Strangely, performances since the start of the season have improved, but Eddie Howe‘s men aren’t picking up points, and hopes of a European finish are starting to fade away.
However, they did get a much-needed victory in the Carabao Cup in midweek over Chelsea.
Meanwhile, the Gunners will have William Saliba back from suspension, which will be a big boost for Mikel Arteta, and they’ll be looking to avoid back-to-back defeats to Newcastle at St James’ Park.
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Last season, Arsenal were beaten 1-0 thanks to one of the most controversial goals of the year scored by Anthony Gordon.
It was a crushing blow in Arsenal’s pursuit of the title, and they’ll be looking to avoid anything similar here.
Newcastle vs Arsenal: Meek Magpies
Last season, despite finishing seventh, Newcastle were one of the highest scoring teams in the division.
The Magpies slammed home 85 goals, just one less than third-place Liverpool.
However, it was at the other end where they had problems, conceding 62 times.
Now that Nick Pope’s fit, the Toon’s defence has improved, but they’ve become poor in front of goal.
Alexander Isak has just two league goals, while he’s missed four big chances already and has also been injured.
Callum Wilson hasn’t played a single minute, while Anthony Gordon has also missed some huge opportunities, including a penalty in a goalless draw against Everton.
The Magpies are creating chances, but the players who were so good in front of goal last year aren’t this time, and that’s an issue that needs to be resolved.
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- Newcastle have won two of their last three Premier League home games against Arsenal (L1), as many as they had in their previous 19 at St James’ Park against them combined (D7 L10).
- Arsenal lost this exact fixture 1-0 last season but haven’t lost consecutive away league games against Newcastle since their first three such visits in the Premier League between 1994 and 1996.
- Newcastle are winless in their last five Premier League games (D2 L3), losing the last two in a row. They last had a longer run without a victory in August/September 2022 (6).
Newcastle vs Arsenal: Date and how to follow
This Premier League game is scheduled to take place on Saturday, November 2.
Kick-off at St James’ Park is set for 12:30pm.
talkSPORT will have live and exclusive coverage from Tyneside, with Reshmin Chowdhury serving as your host.
Commentary will then come from Sam Matterface and England icon Stuart Pearce.
talkSPORT.com will also have all the action through our dedicated Premier League blog.
To tune in to talkSPORT through the website, click HERE for the live stream.
You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.
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- Newcastle lost their last Premier League home match 1-0 against Brighton, ending a run of 11 games without defeat at St James’ Park. It was also the first time they’d failed to score in 23 home league games, last drawing a blank in consecutive such matches in February 2020 under Steve Bruce.
- Arsenal have conceded nine goals in their last five Premier League games, more than they had in their previous 19 combined (8). Indeed, they’ve shipped 2+ goals in four of these five games, as many times as they had in their previous 27.
- Having been unbeaten in their first 12 Premier League away games in 2024 (W10 D2), Arsenal lost 2-0 at Bournemouth last time out. They last lost consecutively on the road in May 2022, the second game of which came at Newcastle.
Newcastle vs Arsenal: Team news
The hosts will have Anthony Gordon back after he returned to the side in midweek.
Wilson was expected to be involved by now, but he’s suffering from tightness in his muscles, and the Toon are taking no risks.
Jamaal Lascelles and Sven Botman are still recovering from ACL injuries suffered earlier in the year.
For Arsenal, Saliba is back, but he might not be with his partner, Gabriel Magalhaes.
The Brazilian was withdrawn in the second half of the Liverpool draw and was sent for a scan after complaining he couldn’t run.
Arteta revealed that the injury isn’t too serious, but Gabriel is still doubtful.
Jurrien Timber is fully fit, but Takehiro Tomiyasu, Martin Odegaard and Riccardo Calafiori are out.
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- Arsenal have scored more set piece goals (excluding penalties) than any other team in the Premier League this season (5). However, 40% of the Gunners’ goals conceded have come via a set piece (4/10, excluding pens), the highest ratio in the division so far.
- Newcastle have scored nine goals from an xG of 14.3 in the Premier League this season, netting roughly five goals fewer than expected – only Manchester United have a larger negative difference in the competition this term (8 goals, 14.8 xG).
- Alexander Isak averages a goal every 133 minutes in the Premier League for Newcastle – only Andrew Cole (one every 121 minutes) has a better average for the Magpies in the competition. The Swede has also scored 11 goals in his last 11 league appearances at St James’ Park.
- Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka has created more chances than any other Premier League player this season (27), while with three goals and seven assists he’s one of four players with double figures for goal involvements this term. Indeed, he’s either scored or assisted a goal in 10 of his last 12 league games, including seven of eight this season.
Newcastle vs Arsenal: What has been said?
Howe believes Newcastle’s cup win over Chelsea could prove to be a decisive moment in their season.
He said: “We needed a performance and a result, I think we got that tonight.
“Especially in the first half, I thought it was hallmark us at our best; front foot, really good energy, good feel, good quality, good attitude – most importantly – and a massive win for us.
“Confidence is always a fragile thing, you can do lots of different things, but winning football matches is the only thing that gives footballers confidence, in my opinion.
“I think that was a really important moment for us, we looked like we had goals in us today, scored two, could’ve scored more.
“There’s areas to improve, but I think just generally we’ll feel much better about ourselves tonight.”
