Arsenal will host Newcastle United on Tuesday night. It could turn out to be one of the best matches of the season, with both teams performing well to this date. Arsenal are now seven points clear at the top of the table, but it is too early to suggest they will win the title. There is a long way to go. The visitors have only lost once this season. They will be very tricky opponents for the Gunners. If it is a home win on Tuesday, it will be difficult not to consider Arsenal as the favourites to win the title.
It was feared that Arsenal would struggle to cope with the absence of Gabriel Jesus. It was a major blow that the Brazilian was ruled out due to an injury he suffered at the World Cup. However, the Gunners have picked up where they left off with two convincing wins in the Premier League. The trip to Brighton was spoken about as a tricky test, which they passed with flying colours. There were some nerves towards the end, but overall, they were the dominant force.
Eddie Howe was disappointed that his team didn’t win on New Year’s Eve. Newcastle were the dominant team at home to Leeds, but they didn’t take their chances. It was the first setback for a while. The focus will be on putting a dent in Arsenal’s title challenge. The Magpies will believe that they can beat the Gunners. They have already beaten Tottenham and Chelsea, while they pushed Manchester City all the way. They have only lost once in the league and that came in the final minute at Anfield. They will be given space to counter attack on Tuesday and that could play into their hands.
Interesting stats
Arsenal haven’t dropped points since Sunday 23rd October 2022.
Newcastle have the best defence in the Premier League. They have only conceded 11 times in 17 matches.
Key men
Martinelli
Since returning from the World Cup, Gabriel Martinelli has picked up from where he left off. He didn’t play as much for Brazil as he would have liked. However, that will only give him more motivation to further his course in the national team with good performances for Arsenal. He has scored in both of the league matches since the break, taking his tally to seven for the season. This is now his best campaign as a Premier League player, with plenty of goals still to come. At 21, it is scary how good he already is and he will be wanting to establish himself as one of the best attackers in Europe over the coming seasons. To do that, he needs to maintain his current performance level and replicate that same form in the Champions League. Newcastle have an excellent defence and their record speaks for itself. However, Martinelli is capable of producing moments of magic in the final third. It could take one of those on Tuesday night.
Bruno Guimaraes
Newcastle will be relying on Martinelli’s international team-mate Bruno Guimaraes. The midfielder was a one-time target of Arsenal and he will be looking to inflict damage to their title challenge. Against Leeds, Guimaraes was shut down and that limited his impact on the game. More teams will look to shut him down, as he is clearly Newcastle’s best player. The midfield battle will be important on Tuesday night and if Guimaraes performs to his maximum, there is a chance that Newcastle can dominate this area at the Emirates Stadium. As well as controlling the midfield, the Brazilian has contributed three goals and three assists. His impact in the final third has been an added bonus for Newcastle. Last season, he scored against Arsenal and he will be hoping that he can have similar success on Tuesday.
Team news
Emile Smith Rowe is nearing a return, but this match will come too soon for him. Gabriel Jesus and Reiss Nelson are longer term absentees.
Matt Targett will be out for weeks with a heel injury. Jonjo Shelvey will be unavailable for the next month or so. Alexander Isak is closing in on a return, but this game will come too soon. Callum Wilson and Allan Saint-Maximin will be pushing for a start this week, as they step up their recoveries.
Verdict
This is a very difficult match to call. Arsenal have been excellent this season, but so have Newcastle. The Magpies can feel unlucky not to be closer to Arsenal in terms of points, which is incredible considering they are third. Their defence gives them a chance in any game. They were unfortunate not to beat Manchester City earlier this season. Their successes over Chelsea and Tottenham will give them confidence that they can beat the very best teams. A score draw could be a good bet for Tuesday night.
Arsenal 1-1 Newcastle United
