Newcastle United vs Arsenal

St James Park forms the backdrop for a high-stakes Premier League showdown between Newcastle United and Arsenal.

Newcastle United found some respite amid a dreadful Premier League start as they eased past Chelsea in midweek EFL Cup action (2-0), responding to back-to-back league defeats by a single-goal margin. Manager Eddie Howe can feel the heat, nonetheless. A five-game winless run in the Premier League (D2, L3) sees the Magpies stranded in below-par 12th at the start of this round. On the bright side, Alexander Isak’s consolation goal in a 2-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge last weekend halted Newcastle’s wasteful streak of more than seven hours of top-flight football without a goal from open play. However, a 1-0 loss to Brighton a fortnight ago marked Newcastle’s first home league defeat since Manchester City triumphed here in January (W6, D5).

On the other hand, Arsenal squandered a lead twice in a dramatic 2-2 home draw against Liverpool last weekend, falling five points behind table-topping Man City. With several first-team stars injured or suspended, the Gunners take this trip with troubled spirits, looking to avoid going three consecutive Premier League travels without winning for the first time this calendar year (D1, L1). This fixture could go either way, considering the last time Newcastle and Arsenal shared the spoils in a top-flight H2H at St James’ Park was in 2011. Mikel Arteta’s men have emerged victorious from four of their last six away league meetings (L2), with the most recent five seeing the winner on the day keep a clean sheet.