Arsenal at Newcastle Preview: All for Revenge

Today at 08:30 AM

The Gunners continue their road trip as they look to keep apace in the Premier League

November is here, and with it comes the Slate of Doom for Arsenal (I am still workshopping that name, please don't judge). The Gunners have six matches between now and December, with five away from the Emirates. In keeping with the theme of this season, nothing about this will be easy; the majority of the trips are against some of the toughest sides in Europe, including Inter Milan, Chelsea, and Sporting.

Kickstarting the tough fixture list is a trip to Newcastle United. The Magpies are far from their best at the moment, but are no less capable of pushing a team to their limits - figuratively and literally. Their physicality is something Arsenal are no strangers to, as last season's tough loss proved.

But Arsenal are no pushovers, especially after fortifying their ranks over the summer with duel monsters and defenders. They have, however, gotten in their own way far more times than they are comfortable with. It's a frustrating trend that has cost Arsenal crucial points at inopportune junctures, giving their rivals for the top spot in the Premier League a cushion as the competition is now a quarter of the way done.

Can the Gunners keep their cool, find the net, and get a much-needed win on Saturday?

Here are five talking points ahead of Saturday's match:

Know the Enemy

The Magpies have been one of the more mercurial sides in the league. On paper, they are a solid side with a veteran manager and plenty of talent. In execution, however, they are an inconsistent lot. After finishing 4th in 2022/23 on the back of a stout defense, their following campaign was comparatively poor, finishing 7th and out of European contention.

This season is more similar to last season's form than the one before it so far. The Magpies are in the middle of one of their worst patches in quite some time, sitting 12th with 12 points. They started the league with 3 wins and a draw from their first 4 matches, and their form has taken a sharp downturn since, having lost 3 times and drawn 2 in their last 5. Their fortunes turned around midweek when they bested Chelsea 2-0 in the Carabao Cup, but they essentially played against an entirely different side than the Chelsea team that beat them 1-0 over the weekend in the league.

All that being said, they are still a tough, physical side with more than enough ability to make you pay. Alexander Isak, when healthy, is one of the most lethal strikers in the league, though he limped off in the 2nd half on Wednesday. The likes of world-class bastard Bruno Guimares and Anthony Gordon are liable to play big roles for the hosts on Saturday, but they will also be without Sven Botman, Kieran Trippier, and Callum Wilson, all out with injury.

All time record against Newcastle: 85W/39D/69L

Last five matches PL against Newcastle: W-L-W-D-L

Last Time Out

There is only one word to sum up the last trip to St. James Park: desgracia.

Last season's 0-1 loss at Newcastle was one of the more frustrating results of Arsenal's Premier League campaign. The specious nature of the host's goal - the ball possibly going into touch, Gabriel Magalhaes shoved in the back battling for a header, a player possibly offside - was just one of several issues that Mikel Arteta took note with, resulting in a memorably impassioned post-match speech about the decisions that transpired.

The match was full of flashpoints moments with both sides exchanging rough challenges. Kai Havertz' heavy challenge in the first half begot an uncalled forearm shiver to the back of Jorginho's head by Bruno Guimares that was not deemed to be violent conduct by VAR for…reasons. It was as cagey as they come, and Arsenal, despite their best efforts, could not find the net, leaving with more bruises than goals.

Injuries & Suspensions

Wednesday's match at Preston North End saw a few key players return to action that were possible injury concerns after Saturday, namely Jurrien Timber and Bukayo Saka. Both were given brief cameos for general match fitness purposes, which bodes well for their inclusion this weekend.

The absence of Ben White from the lineup on Wednesday and comments by Arteta lead to believe that White may have picked up a knock following the Liverpool match. The return of William Saliba from injury should see him return to the right back position if he is healthy and available, though that seems doubtful at this time.

Arteta also revealed that Riccardo Calafiori will be out for several weeks after tweaking his knee against Shakhtar. Gabriel Magalhaes missed Wednesday after a minor knee injury, but news that it was not a major injury was relieving after his second half sub against Liverpool.

Martin Ødegaard's recovery has been the major focal point of the growing list of injured players, and Thursday provided an immense bit of news, as it was reported that he is aiming for the Inter Milan match for his return, with an outside shot of him making the bench for this Saturday's match.

Kieran Tierney and Takehiro Tomiyasu remain the primary long term absences.

Predicted Lineup

Attack: Martinelli, Havertz, Saka

Gabriel Martinelli's form has been a waxing and waning all season, and despite his current poor patch, he likely gets the start on Saturday. Building a rapport with Merino is critical, and for all of his warts, he still is the best on the squad at getting to the touchline on the left. Havertz and Saka retain their usual spots.

Midfield: Merino, Rice, Trossard

Merino's first start against Bournemouth was far from ideal, but he's shown tremendous growth since then. Against Liverpool, you could see him start to find his groove, especially after scoring his first Arsenal goal. He should get the start against his former club in his return to St. James Park. Rice had perhaps his best performance of the season against Liverpool, which coincidentally came from a start in the 6. Trossard retains his place as the creative midfielder, though Ethan Nwaneri's scintillating Carabao Cup performance had to have given Mikel food for thought going forward.

Defense: Timber, Kiwior, Saliba, Partey

The return of Timber to the side with a midweek cameo after he was subbed off with injury against Liverpool points to a start this Sunday. Jakub Kiwior got the start against Preston and registered two assists while playing a tidy match. If Gabriel is still not fit, he could get a rare PL start. Saliba is Saliba. Partey had an impressive cameo at right back against Liverpool, and could deputize once again if White is still injured.

Raya remains in goal.

On the Road Again

Saturday's match begins a November slate where Arsenal play five of their six matches away from the Emirates, with three straight away matches out of the gate. The last run of three successive away matches turned out decently, with two draws and a win. Arsenal will obviously want to avoid any defeats, but that will not come easy. After Newcastle is a huge test away to Inter Milan in the Champions League before facing a new-look Chelsea at Stamford Bridge next weekend. A healthy, disciplined Arsenal can do it. Whether they can be both in successive matches of massive importance is the question.

Two of the last three trips to St. James Park have not been kind to Arsenal. Newcastle have become a much more stout side under Eddie Howe, and there is little doubt that the hosts will want to leave a few on the Gunners to put them off their game early and force Arsenal into some dumb retaliatory fouls. An unruly Arsenal is what Newcastle want, and Mikel Arteta's side simply cannot take the bait if they want to win.

The 12:30pm local kick off may take a little bite out of the fans, but it won't take it out of the players. If Arsenal want to win, they have to keep in mind the old adage: Cooler heads prevail.

WHO: Arsenal at Newcastle United
WHAT: Premier League Match Day 10
WHEN: Saturday, November 2nd, 8:30am EST/5:30am PST/12:30pm GMT
WHERE: St. James Park, Newcastle
HOW TO WATCH: Broadcast live on NBC. Streaming on NBCSports.com

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