Alan Shearer has shared his prediction for Arsenal's crucial clash against Newcastle United on Saturday. He backed the Gunners to beat his former side at the Emirates in the Premier League.
Mikel Arteta's side have won just one of their last six games across competitions. This has seen them lose the EFL Cup final and get eliminated from the FA Cup. They have also slipped to second place in the Premier League standings, behind Manchester City on goals scored.
However, Shearer believes they will beat Newcastle, who are on a four-game losing run. He wrote in his column for Metro:
"As much as I hope I’m wrong and I really hope I’m wrong, I see Arsenal bouncing back and winning this. I have no confidence in the form Newcastle are in. They need to come out and they need to improve. If they get beat, they have to go down fighting, and I didn’t see that last weekend against Bournemouth. That was the hard thing to take from the defeat.
"When the managers under pressure and the players are having to prove a point, at least you need show some effort. That was the thing that hurt last weekend, the players have to come out with a response and fight for everything. If they get beat, so be it, but they’ve got to do it with spirit. But I think Arsenal will bounce back with a home win, as much as it pains me to say it, but I hope I’m wrong," he added.
The Gunners won 2-1 in the reverse fixture in September, with Gabriel Magalhaes scoring the winner in stoppage time.
Mikel Arteta on if Arsenal need to win their remaining games this season
The Gunners are level on points with Manchester City in the Premier League, behind only on goals scored. Even their goal difference is the same, and it could come into play in deciding the title. With five games remaining, many believe both teams will have to be perfect to win the title.
Asked about this, Mikel Arteta said in his pre-match press conference (h/t Arsenal.com):
"I don't know. It's five games to go, four weeks, two big competitions to play for and everything to play for. I mean, if someone would have told us at the beginning of the season, we would have taken it and we are so excited, and tomorrow is game one."
Arsenal are also active in the UEFA Champions League. They will face Atletico Madrid away in the first leg of the semi-finals on April 29.