Arsenal will be looking to make up for their Champions League against Newcastle United. Eddie Howe’s team had to wait until the very end to salvage a point in a 2-2 draw with Bournemouth the previous weekend, while the Gunners were defeated 1-0 in the first leg of their last-16 Champions League matchup with Porto on Wednesday night.
Preview (Arsenal vs. Newcastle United)
Record-breaking goalscoring performances in away Premier League games did not translate into an evening of continental dominance for Arsenal on Wednesday. A defensively sound Porto squad denied the Gunners a single opportunity on goal. But in extra time, Michael Arteta’s team paid a heavy price for their ignorance. The young guns gave up the ball and allowed Galeno to beat David Raya with an incredible curler.
They still have 90 minutes in North London to make up for their European transgressions. the remarkably timid Gunners—who last lost a Champions League match without a shot on goal since 2011. They still have a chance to redeem themselves. Arteta’s team returns to Premier League action on a historic five-game winning streak. Arsenal won their first five league games of the year last weekend, crushing Burnley 5-0 to claim the victory. However, Arteta’s team is still in third place in the standings. They are one point behind Manchester City and five behind Liverpool, who have played one more game.
Arsenal is currently chasing their third consecutive Premier League home victory after victories over Crystal Palace and Liverpool, scoring eight goals in the process. Despite this, Arsenal still has the best defense in the division. They have allowed just 22 goals to be scored, but Newcastle and Porto share a similar goal total. Newcastle has kept their supporters captivated throughout February. Before last weekend’s exciting match against Bournemouth at St. James’ Park, the team shared the spoils in an eight-goal Luton Town extravaganza and defeated Nottingham Forest in a 3-2 thriller.
In the second half, Antoine Semenyo and Dominic Solanke gave the Cherries two goals each. However, Newcastle responded twice, through a penalty from Anthony Gordon and an unlikely source in Matt Ritchie.
Team News
Fabio Vieira missed three months of action due to a groin injury. He was added to the matchday squad for Arsenal’s midweek trip to Portugal. However, Thomas Partey also resumed team training after a thigh operation. Although Arteta continues to be extremely private about each player’s status, all of Gabriel Jesus (knee), Takehiro Tomiyasu (knock), and Alexander Zinchenko (calf) were not there for the loss to Porto. However, given the short turnaround, it seems unlikely that any of them will make a return on Saturday.
Arteta may decide to add Jorgeginho and Emile Smith Rowe to his midfield to give the team some new life. Regarding Newcastle’s availability, against Bournemouth, the Magpies were again without a designated number nine because of an odd injury sustained by Callum Wilson, who is now confirmed to be sidelined for approximately 12 weeks with a pectoral ailment. But this weekend, former Arsenal trainee Joe Willock might return from a calf issue in his old haunts. Alexander Isak (groin) is getting close to making a comeback and might help the visitors’ offensive line.
Arsenal 2-1 Newcastle United
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