Newcastle vs Arsenal preview: Prediction, team news & lineups

Arsenal’s 2021/22 season all but ended at St. James’ Park this time last year, and their title dream will likely fade should they fail to beat Newcastle on Sunday afternoon.

The Gunners’ four-game winless run in April handed an imperious Man City the initiative in the title race after leading the way for so long. Mikel Arteta’s side could trail Pep Guardiola’s back-to-back champions by four points by the time they kick off on Tyneside this weekend.

City face Big Sam’s Leeds at the Etihad on Saturday after beating West Ham in midweek.

Nevertheless, Arsenal head into this crucial bout off the back of a 3-1 victory against a woeful Chelsea on Tuesday night. The triumph undoubtedly restored some confidence within the ranks, and Arteta’s squad must pull together for this one given Newcastle’s stellar home record.

St. James’ Park has been nothing short of a cauldron this term, with the Toon Army currently in a fervent mood as their Magpies edge closer to securing a Champions League berth.

Newcastle vs Arsenal preview: Prediction, team news & lineups

Here’s our preview of Arsenal’s trip to Newcastle on Sunday.

How to watch Newcastle vs Arsenal on TV

When is kick-off? Sunday 7 May

What time is kick-off? 16:30 (BST)

Where is it played? St. James’ Park

TV channel/live stream? Sky Ultra HD, Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League (UK) / Telemundo, nbcsports.com, USA Network (US) / fuboTV (Canada)

Referee? Chris Kavanagh

Newcastle team news

Both Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak enjoyed excellent Aprils, but the latter will be expected to get the nod on Sunday.

The Swede will likely be flanked by Joelinton and Jacob Murphy with Sean Longstaff coming back into the midfield three alongside former Gunner Joe Willock.

Allan Saint-Maximin is a doubt and unlikely to start following a couple of weeks on the sidelines.

Arsenal team news

Arteta made three changes to his starting XI in the week, and one of those, Jakub Kiwior, should certainly retain his place for the trip to St. James’ Park.

However, Gabriel Martinelli is a sure bet to come back in for Leandro Trossard, and I think Thomas Partey will replace Jorginho, despite the Italian impressing against his former club.

William Saliba remains out for the visitors, with Mohamed Elneny and Takehiro Tomiyasu both long-term absentees. Gabriel is also a doubt after he picked up a knock on Tuesday night.

Newcastle vs Arsenal predicted lineups

Newcastle: Pope; Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn; Guimaraes, Longstaff, Willock; Murphy, Isak, Joelinton.

Arsenal: Ramsdale; White, Kiwior, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Partey, Xhaka, Odegaard; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli.

Newcastle’s recent form

Newcastle 3-1 Southampton (30/04) – Premier League

Everton 1-4 Newcastle (27/04) – Premier League

Newcastle 6-1 Tottenham (23/04) – Premier League

Aston Villa 3-0 Newcastle (15/04) – Premier League

Brentford 1-2 Newcastle (08/04) – Premier League

Arsenal’s recent form

Arsenal 3-1 Chelsea (02/05) – Premier League

Man City 4-1 Arsenal (26/04) – Premier League

Arsenal 3-3 Southampton (21/04) – Premier League

West Ham 2-2 Arsenal (16/04) – Premier League

Liverpool 2-2 Arsenal (09/04) – Premier League

Prediction

Eddie Howe was cautious and pragmatic in the reverse fixture, but his ploy of nullifying the Gunners was ultimately successful. With the visitors short-handed without Saliba, I fancy Howe to adopt a much more aggressive gameplan on home soil.

Newcastle will back themselves against a vulnerable Arsenal build-up, with Chelsea’s poorly drilled press perhaps flattering the likes of Kiwior in midweek. This will be a completely different kettle of fish for the Pole.

The Magpies have been majestic at St. James’ this season, and while the visitors would’ve regained some confidence by winning on Tuesday, it’s hard to envisage Arteta’s side entering the Toon and walking away with three points. They’ll have to perform exceptionally well without possession, and be incessantly brave with the ball in order to do so.

I don’t think this group of players is capable of producing near perfection given what happened in April.

Prediction: Newcastle 3-1 Arsenal