Newcastle vs Arsenal preview: How to watch on TV, live stream, team news and prediction

Arsenal travel to St James’ Park on Sunday to take on Newcastle in the Premier League, searching for just their second top-flight victory in six outings. Here is the match preview.

Some distractions are not welcome, others are. As Arsenal lick the wounds of a miserable, yet somehow not catastrophic night of Europa League football, a journey to the northern most club in England may not be high on their wishlist.

Mikel Arteta went full…Mikel Arteta(?) with his team selections in Spain, ripping up the rulebook and guidelines he’d worked so hard to implement by fielding no recognised centre-forward in the biggest game of his managerial career. It also happened to be the most important fixture of Arsenal’s season.

His efforts to outsmart Unai Emery succeeding only in fooling himself and his players, who looked lost at sea, particularly in the first half, with tactical roles they hadn’t had time to absorb playing out in full time on the pitch.

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Newcastle vs Arsenal preview: Sunday’s Premier League clash at St James’ Park

Nicolas Pepe rescued an away goal for the Gunners from the spot, a goal of paramount importance as it keeps their faint hopes alive.

Sandwiching their European ventures are Newcastle, who have gone on a remarkable run of form with eight points in their last four league outings, putting not only breathing space between themselves and the relegation zone but almost certainly securing survival itself.

Late goals have been the aim of the game with none other than Joe Willock flying the ‘super-sub’ flag at present, including late strikes against Tottenham, West Ham and Liverpool.

While not mathematically safe, the Magpies’ Premier League status creeps closer to being rubber stamped with nine points separating them and Fulham in 18th. As for Arsenal, there is nothing left to play for as they languish nine points adrift of West Ham in fifth, with European football via their league finish borderline impossible.

It’s surely all about momentum ahead of the second leg with Villarreal.

Where to watch Villarreal vs Arsenal

When is it? Sunday 2 May
What time is kick off? 14:00 (BST)
Where is it played? St James’ Park
TV Channel? Sky Sports (UK), fuboTV (US)
Referee? Mike Dean
Who’s on VAR duty? Chris Kavanagh