Premier League leaders Arsenal will be looking to consolidate their position at the top of the table when they face Newcastle at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday. The Gunners have won the last eight Premier League matches against Newcastle. The reverse fixture at St James' Park was dominated by Arsenal but they only won 1-0 despite the Magpies managing just one shot towards the opposition goal. Arsenal have won 11 of the last 14 league meetings between the two sides. There have been plenty of goals in this fixture lately, the last three matches at the Emirates produced no less than 18 goals. Both sets of fans will surely remember a 7-3 victory for Arsenal in 2012.
The Gunners recovered from the heavy 4-0 defeat at Southampton on Boxing day with a 2-0 win over Bournemouth on Monday, moving at the top of the table. Mesut Ozil was outstanding in that match, producing a goal and an assist, his 16th of the season. Olivier Giroud will be looking forward to facing Newcastle as he has scored eight times in seven matches against the Magpies. The Gunners have won six of their last games and lost just one. Arsene Wenger rested Laurent Koscielny against Bournemouth, Gabriel Paulista replaced him and managed to score. Alexis Sanchez is getting closer to full fitness but will not be able to play yet.
Newcastle are in the relegation zone after having picked up just 17 points in the first 19 matches of the season. In December the Magpies seemed capable of climbing out of the drop zone after recording consecutive victories over Liverpool and Tottenham, but then they grabbed just one point out of nine from fixtures against Aston Villa, Everton and West Brom. The last two of those meetings were lost, both by a 1-0 score line. Newcastle have the biggest injury list in the Premier League at the moment after Vurnon Anita picked up a knock during Monday's match against West Brom.
Probable line-ups:
Arsenal: Cech - Bellerin, Gabriel, Koscielny, Monreal - Chambers, Ramsey - Campbell, Ozil, Walcott - Giroud
Newcastle: Darlow - Janmaat, Mbemba, Coloccini, Dummett - Sissoko, Tiote, Colback, Wijnaldum - Perez, Mitrovic
My prediction: Arsenal to win 4-1.
Here are the odds for the match at Bet365:
Arsenal win - 1.29 Draw - 6.50 Newcastle win - 11.00
milesteol 8 years ago
There is no better chance than in this. Arsenal must win this season Premier League or they will hardly have this chance in nearly future. Chelsea and Manchester United are obviously bad. Liverpool are again bad this season. Only Manchester City can seriously threaten Arsenal. Leicester won't manage to keep up the pace.
There is no better chance than in this. Arsenal must win this season Premier League or they will hardly have this chance in nearly future. Chelsea and Manchester United are obviously bad. Liverpool are again bad this season. Only Manchester City can seriously threaten Arsenal. Leicester won't manage to keep up the pace.
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Shumar4life 8 years ago
Arsenal continued to maintain their good form, after this win, and Wenger shouldn't make any big decisions to achieve his goal, and that is fighting for the title. Arsenal now is looking very good on all court and I believe that they have quality to win a league this season. It is to early but they are my clear favorites...
Arsenal continued to maintain their good form, after this win, and Wenger shouldn't make any big decisions to achieve his goal, and that is fighting for the title. Arsenal now is looking very good on all court and I believe that they have quality to win a league this season. It is to early but they are my clear favorites for this
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sharpe 8 years ago
Arsenal doesn't have any room for mistakes and shouldn't make any really in this kind of games against much poor opponents. Newcastle has a tough year but it's a tradition for them lately, anything else than a convincing Arsenal victory will be surprising I think and will blown up the champions ambitions of the Gunners...
Arsenal doesn't have any room for mistakes and shouldn't make any really in this kind of games against much poor opponents. Newcastle has a tough year but it's a tradition for them lately, anything else than a convincing Arsenal victory will be surprising I think and will blown up the champions ambitions of the Gunners but I think they'll do what is necessary to win that one, 3-1.
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