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Arsenal’s predicted XI to face Newcastle United as the Premier League title race continues
Arsenal’s push for the Premier League title continues with weekend, when they take on Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners head into the match in desperate need of a victory if they’re to keep their hopes of winning the division alive, after losing to Bournemouth and Manchester City in consecutive weeks.
As things stand, the Citizens are top of the Premier League - the two clubs are level on goal difference, but Pep Guardiola’s side have a superior ‘goals scored’ tally - following their narrow 1-0 win over now-relegated Burnley on Wednesday evening. Only five games now remain for the Gunners to take back their place at the summit.
Newcastle United are in poor form themselves, but given how tightly-packed the middle of the table is, they could still qualify for Europe despite languishing in 14th place ahead of the weekend. They’ll be heading to the Emirates Stadium intent on doing just that, and are likely to provide stiff competition for Mikel Arteta’s side.
Arsenal predicted XI vs Newcastle: goalkeeper and defence
GK - David Raya: The Spanish stopper will once again be between the sticks for Arsenal this weekend. He’s turned out to be a bit of a bargain, given he only cost £30m from Brentford, and is on track to win the Golden Glove award for the third season in a row, having shared the prestigious honour with Nottingham Forest’s Matz Sels last year.
RB - Ben White: Arteta has a number of gambles to make this weekend, and the first one is whether or not to risk playing Jurrien Timber, who’s been recovering from a groin injury. Neither White nor Cristhian Mosquera have looked particularly confident filling in at right-back, but the former may well get the nod, with Timber being introduced in the second half.
CB - Gabriel: The top class centre-back will be starring for Brazil at the World Cup this summer, but he’ll be completely focused on the title race with Arsenal for now. The 28-year-old, who is now in the prime of his career, will look to improve on his ragged display against Man City - one that saw him booked after losing his cool with Erling Haaland.
CB - William Saliba: Batman and Robin, Bonnie and Clyde, Holmes and Watson. You can add Gabriel and Saliba to that list of dynamic duos, with the Gunners’ centre-back pairing arguably the best in world football at this moment in time. Saliba has made 26 Premier League starts for his side this season, and will do so again on Saturday evening.
LB - Piero Hincapie: Arsenal have been linked with signing a new left-back this summer, after an injury-hit sophomore season for Ricardo Calafiori. Hincapie has done a fine job filling in in the meantime, and is expected to do so again against the Magpies. He’s currently on loan from Bayer Leverkusen, with a £45m option-to-buy clause available should the Gunners wish to trigger it this summer.
Arsenal predicted XI vs Newcastle: midfield and attack
CM - Declan Rice: The all-action midfielder rallied the troops with a cry of “It’s not over” following last weekend’s defeat to City, and he’ll be ready to give 100% again against the visiting Magpies. He’s racked up a mega 2765 Premier League minutes for the team this season, and will continue to run through brick walls until the final game is concluded.
CM - Martin Zubimendi: He’s been one of the best, and indeed most underrated, signings of the Premier League this season for our money. The Spain international is the only other Arsenal star other than Raya to have featured in every Premier League match for the club so far this season. He’ll start in midfield for the Gunners once again on Saturday.
CM - Martin Odegaard: With Mikel Merino still not back, the former Real Madrid wonderkid looks likely to keep his starting spot. He’s notched up five assists in his 21 Premier League appearances this season, but has struggled to find the kind of form that saw him dazzle towards the start of his career in north London.
AMR - Noni Madueke: Another gamble that Arteta may well resist is returning Bukayo Saka to his starting XI this weekend. The England international has endured a deeply frustrating season marred by injury, and while he’s back in training, he looks most likely to be introduced from the bench if required against Newcastle.
AML: Eberechi Eze: Adding energy and down the left flank to match that of Madueke’s on the right, Eze looks set to start this one. He’s scored nine goals for the Gunners in all competitions since joining in a £60m move from Crystal Palace last summer, and is likely to go to the World Cup alongside Madueke, Saka and Rice in the summer.
ST - Viktor Gyokeres: A persistent criticism of Arsenal’s big-money summer striker signing has been that he’s tended to save his best performances for the low hanging fruit of the Premier League. Well, with Newcastle very much falling into that category this season, he could well start and bag a goal or two in this game.
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