Newcastle United vs Arsenal Preview: Lineups, Injury News, H2H & Prediction
Gameweek 6 of the Premier League gives center stage to St. James' Park as Newcastle host second-place Arsenal in a showdown of Champions League clubs.
In this article, we cover the predicted lineups, latest injury news, head-to-head record, betting odds and a score prediction for Newcastle vs. Arsenal in Gameweek 6.
Newcastle United are looking to steady their ship after losing star striker Alexander Isak in the closing stages of the summer transfer window. Manager Eddie Howe has gotten the Magpies off to a middling start after scraping three scoreless draws and one win from their first five Premier League fixtures.
After drawing with Manchester City and falling to Liverpool, Arsenal once again are assuming the role of title chasers in their quest for their first title under manager Mike Arteta. The Gunners have earned 10 points from their first five league fixtures and are five points behind the reigning English champions, Liverpool.
Premier League Schedule and Fixture Difficulty Ranker
Newcastle United vs. Arsenal Head-to-Head Record
Newcastle and Arsenal have met on 197 occasions, dating back to 1893 when the sides played to a 2-2 draw in a League Division Two matchup.
Across their last five league fixtures, each club has won twice and lost twice.
Arsenal lead the all-time series having won 86 matches and drawn 39 times.
Fixture Trivia
Fixture Trivia Question: As a Newcastle player, how many goals did Newcastle's all-time leading goal scorer Alan Shearer score versus Arsenal?
(Answer provided on Gameweek 7's Premier League Preview article)
Gameweek 5 Trivia: Who was the first Manchester City goal scorer versus Arsenal after Mikel Arteta was hired in December of 2019?
Raheem Sterling opened the scoring in a 3-0 home victory for Manchester City in Arteta's first matchup versus the Cityzens.
Betting Odds and Predictions for Newcastle United vs. Arsenal Match
Premier League Odds Comparisons
Moneyline Odds
DraftKings: NEW +255 Draw +235, ARS +115
FanDuel: NEW +240 Draw +230, ARS +110
BetMGM: NEW +240 Draw +240, ARS +115
Bet365: NEW +250 Draw +240, ARS +110
Visit RotoWire all season for exclusive sports betting picks and our weekly Premier League betting show. Remember that betting apps vary in terms of odds, so we have an easy-to-use odds page that allows you to shop for the best lines at DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM and PointsBet. Claim over a thousand dollars in bonuses by signing up at the best sports betting sites using the best sportsbook promos.
RECENT FORM
Newcastle (WDLWD) ran roughshod over Bradford City in a midweek 4-1 Carabao Cup victory. Newcastle's form has been mixed after a scoreless draw with Leeds, as well as a Champions League loss to Barcelona.
Arsenal (WDWWL) have won three of their first five Premier League fixtures, with the only blemishes coming from a defeat to Liverpool and draw with Manchester City.
FORMATIONS
Howe is likely to employ his usual tactics and rely upon his experienced midfield to solidify a 4-3-3 shape that focuses on the midfielders as the impetus for the team's attacking and defending successes. To survive the manager's demands, the midfield trio must be willing to play a box-to-box role, assisting in protecting the back four and springing the attack when reclaiming possession.
Arteta has continued with his usual system, buoyed by Viktor Gyokeres's arrival in North London and paired with reinforcements in the holding midfield positions, expect Arteta to use a base 4-2-3-1 formation. This gives his team the ability to control the ball and push forward in front of goalkeeper David Raya.
LINEUP NOTES & INJURY NEWS
Premier League Predicted & Confirmed Lineups
Newcastle Injury News
Howe is missing a few important players, though he still has a very strong starting XI available.
Fabian Schar (concussion) has been ruled out for the fixture after a blow to the head forced the central defender off the pitch in Newcastle's 2-1 defeat to Barcelona.
Attacking midfielder Jacob Ramsey (ankle) is likely to be sidelined through the next international break, according to Howe. Also in attack, Yoane Wissa (knee) is out until after the international break.
With two newly-signed attacking options on the shelf, look for Howe to deploy fellow newcomer Nick Woltemade as the striker, flanked by Anthony Gordon to the left and Anthony Elanga or Jacob Murphy to the right.
Arsenal Injury News
Arsenal enter the fixture with a few key injuries of their own.
Noni Madueke (knee) is set to be sidelined for multiple weeks, according to Arteta, after the forward was removed at halftime of the Gunners' 1-1 draw versus Manchester City. Fellow forward Kai Havertz will still be missing for months as he recovers from knee surgery. Lastly, Gabriel Jesus (knee) remains unavailable as he works to return to fitness following major surgery.
Key midfield cog Martin Odegaard (shoulder) will be a game-time decision ahead of Sunday's fixture. The club captain was limited to 18 minutes against Nottingham Forest after aggravating the injury he suffered earlier in the campaign. In their subsequent Champions League clash versus Athletic Bilbao and league match up versus City, Mikel Merino and Eberechi Eze have assumed Odegaard's role in midfield. If Odegaard is deemed fit Sunday's clash, he would be unlikely to play the full 90 minutes. Look for Eze to share time with Merino and Odegaard in the midfield alongside Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi.
KEY MATCHUPS
Physical target-men versus towering central defenders
Aerial duels will play an outsized role in determining the outcome of this heavy-weight clash. Early in the campaign, Newcastle have recorded the sixth most successful crosses per match at 4.8 per fixture. Conversely, the Magpies' backline must be prepared to rise and make clearances as Arsenal remain one of the most dangerous teams in Europe from set pieces.
Newly-signed Newcastle striker Nick Woltemade checks in a 6-foot-6 and will contend with the physicality and experience of William Saliba and Gabriel, who stand at 6-4 and 6-3, respectively.
At the opposite end of the pitch, Arsenal's No. 9 Gyokeres is a bowling ball of a striker at 6-foot-2, who will likely contend against the 6-6 veteran Dan Burn and his apparent partner Malick Thiaw who stands at 6-4.
Bukayo Saka versus Valentino Livramento
The dynamism of the right side of the Arsenal attack and Newcastle's ability to defend their left flank will be crucial as well.
After a 62-minute shift versus Port Vale in a midweek 2-0 EFL Cup victory, Saka is likely to be fit enough to play into the late stages of the second half Sunday. The dynamic winger has added at least 16 goal contributions for Arsenal in each of their last four Premier League seasons. Saka has scored once across three league appearances (two starts) this season.
Livramento will face the tall task of containing Arsenal's star winger. The young English full-back has played every minute of Newcastle's first six league fixtures. Across that stretch, he's provided one assist while making 11 clearances and contributing to four clean sheets.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Sandro Tonali is the box-to-box influence that is likely to have the largest impact upon proceedings Sunday. The middle of the park will be packed with premium talent from across Europe including Declan Rice, Bruno Guimaraes, Zubimendi and Joelinton.
I back Tonali's willingness to cover every blade of grass to be the difference-making energy that tilts the match in favor of the home-side, much to the delight of the Geordie faithful. Through six league appearances, six starts, the midfielder has created nine chances from nine shots (four on goal) and five corners. Tracking back, Tonali has contributed seven tackles (six won), four interceptions and two clearances to Newcastle's four clean sheets.
PREDICTED RESULT
Newcastle United 2 - Arsenal 1
UPCOMING LEAGUE FIXTURES
Newcastle United: Oct. 5 vs Nottingham Forest
Arsenal: Oct. 4 vs West Ham United
