The Arsenal Newcastle preview starts with a simple question: can the Gunners stay six points clear when the Premier League returns? Arsenal travel to St James’ Park on Saturday 21 November, with Newcastle keen to turn a promising Fulham draw into a proper run of form.
Arsenal Newcastle preview: where the two sides stand
Arsenal went into the break in commanding shape. A 1-0 win at Anfield on 1 November was followed by a narrow home victory over Hull City, where Martin Ødegaard’s poacher’s finish kept the lead intact. You can read the full story in our report on Arsenal 1-0 Hull City, and the gap grew when Manchester City slipped up at the City Ground, as we covered in Nottingham Forest 3-1 Manchester City.
Newcastle are harder to read. Matthias Jaissle’s team lost twice to Everton in quick succession, then bounced back with a lively display at Craven Cottage on 7 November. Jacob Murphy’s left-footed curler ten minutes from time looked to have won it, only for substitute Rodrigo Muniz to bundle home a leveller moments later. Dan Burn also had a first-half goal ruled out for a foul on Timothy Castagne, so Newcastle feel they deserved more.
Arsenal’s international-break check-up
The good news for Arsenal supporters is that the key men are returning in form. Viktor Gyökeres scored twice from the penalty spot for Sweden against Bosnia and Herzegovina, which means he has now found the net in eight straight Nations League matches. Sweden earned promotion to League A, so he will land back in London in a good mood.
Jurrien Timber was even more eye-catching. The defender scored his first two international goals in the Netherlands’ 7-0 demolition of Greece, tapping in Donyell Malen’s cross before adding a second at the back post. Our own report on the Dutch and German results is here: Germany 3-1 Serbia and Netherlands 7-0 Greece.
England and Italy contributors
Declan Rice returned to Thomas Tuchel’s starting line-up against Croatia and played 77 minutes of a 2-1 England win, a game we covered in England 2-1 Croatia. Riccardo Calafiori played the full 90 minutes as Italy came from behind to beat France 3-1, while Martin Zubimendi helped Spain beat Czechia 2-0 in Prague. Arsenal will simply be hoping nobody picks up a knock in the final round of internationals.
Newcastle’s selection puzzle
Jaissle also has international business to sort out. Malick Thiaw started in Germany’s 3-1 win in Serbia and was due to feature again against the Netherlands in Berlin on Monday 16 November, so his workload is worth watching. At Fulham, Newcastle fielded Lukáš Horníček in goal, Dan Burn as captain and Amar Dedić running down the right, with Harvey Barnes and Will Osula threatening on the break.
The fit-again Matias Fernandez-Pardo was used from the bench in London, and Joe Willock and Lewis Miley also made an impact. Expect a similar high-energy blueprint on Tyneside, and watch how Jaissle uses his bench, because Willock and Miley changed the tempo at Craven Cottage: Newcastle’s best moments came when they won the ball in midfield and broke at pace, and St James’ Park on a Saturday evening will demand exactly that.
Yoane Wissa also arrives with confidence after scoring early in DR Congo’s 3-1 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier win over Sierra Leone, and Jaissle will hope that sharpness carries over. The atmosphere inside the stadium should be loud from the first whistle.
Key tactical battles
- Set pieces: Burn’s disallowed effort at Fulham came from a short corner routine. Both sides can hurt teams from dead balls, so discipline in the box is vital.
- Transitions: Newcastle’s counter-attacks through Barnes, Murphy and Osula pose the biggest threat to Arsenal’s high line.
- Midfield control: If Rice and Zubimendi dictate tempo, Newcastle may struggle to get out.
Prediction
Arsenal arrive with greater quality and momentum, but Newcastle at home are a different proposition from the side that lost to Everton. This should be tight, tense and decided by one moment. We say Newcastle 1-2 Arsenal, with Gyökeres or Timber from a set piece likely to be the difference. Kick-off is scheduled for 5.30pm UK time, which is 1.30am on Sunday morning in Singapore, so set that alarm.
Arsenal then turn to Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on 24 November. For more previews, reviews and features, visit our Sports category archive.
