Former Chelsea defender Frank Leboeuf has shared his verdict on Newcastle United’s important visit to Arsenal on Sunday.
The Magpies are looking to secure Champions League qualification, while the Gunners find themselves clinging on to second in the Premier League table after a poor run of form.
Eddie Howe’s side have the opportunity to leapfrog Mikel Arteta’s side into second place at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, but results elsewhere mean there is added pressure to return to Tyneside with all three points.
Chelsea and Aston Villa both won their games against Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, respectively, meaning they are now level on points with Newcastle United. The race for the top five will go down to the final day, but the Magpies will have little to worry about if they win.
Chris Sutton predicted a draw between Newcastle and Arsenal, claiming the game is a grudge match following their previous three meetings this season.
Newcastle hold a psychological advantage ahead of the clash after winning all three games against Arsenal without conceding.
Paul Merson thinks Newcastle will be in trouble against Arsenal, and Frank Leboeuf completely agrees in his verdict on the game.
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
Why Frank Leboeuf thinks Newcastle United will lose to Arsenal
Howe has been frustrated by Premier League teams’ interest in Newcastle stars this season. The 47-year-old will be calling upon those players, including Alexander Isak, who has been linked with a move to Arsenal this season.
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However, Leboeuf believes that even the best Newcastle players will not be able to do anything against Arsenal in what is their final home game of the season.
“According to the game that I saw against Chelsea and the fact that it was 11 against 10, Newcastle couldn’t do anything in the second half of the game,” he told ESPN FC.
“I saw lately some games where they were quite tired at the end of the game. I think the Gunners want to give a proper last game to the fans at the Emirates. Don’t forget the last game Newcastle and Arsenal played against each other was the cup game, and Newcastle won away from home.
“It’s kind of for revenge. Mikel Arteta will make sure his players will be spot on, ready to give very good entertainment for the fans. I don’t rely on Newcastle after what I saw against Chelsea last week.
“That’s why I put 3-0, we saw that Newcastle can collapse. We saw that against Aston Villa, they lost 4-1 and they can do that in one game where they are not being the Magpies that we know.”
Fatigue has been an issue for Newcastle United this season
While Leboeuf’s prediction is a bizarre one, he makes a good point on how far the squad has been stretched this season.
The Magpies enjoyed a historic Carabao Cup run and gave a good account of themselves in the FA Cup. The fixture list has been intense for Newcastle, so fatigue was always going to be a factor.
Alan Shearer claimed Isak looked tired after Newcastle beat Brentford in April. The Swede’s goalscoring prowess seems to have deserted him in recent games; he has scored only three times in his last seven appearances.
Additionally, injuries have started to pile up for Newcastle. Sven Botman and Joe Willock are doubts for the Arsenal game, while it has already been confirmed that Joelinton and Kieran Trippier are set to miss the final two games of the season.
Arsenal could have Kai Havertz back in the squad as well as several players who were struggling with knocks.