THE race for a Champions League spot is edging towards boiling point and second-place Arsenal host third-place Newcastle at the Emirates THIS AFTERNOON!
And the headline team news from North London is that Alexander Isak misses out with a minor groin injury.
Kai Havertz returns to the Gunners squad but is only fit enough for the bench.
- Kick-off time: 4:30pm BST
- Live stream: NOW TV
- TV channel: Sky Sports Main Event/Premier League
- Arsenal starting XI: To follow
- Newcastle starting XI: To follow
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Arsenal 0-0 Newcastle
35. The Gunners are growing into the game more.
Passing it around and looking to find pockets of space.
The Magpies are holding firm and making themselves difficult to break down.
Arsenal 0-0 Newcastle
33. Saka stands over another corner for Arsenal.
They play it short and Partey tries to lift it into the back post.
It has too much on it and Lewis-Skelly cannot keep it in play.
Arsenal 0-0 Newcastle
31. Martinelli looks to use his pace to get in behind the visitors.
He gets an important touch to take the ball past Schar.
Pope is quick out of his area to react and kick it into touch.
Arsenal 0-0 Newcastle
29. Eddie Howe’s side are dominating this game.
They really seem to be The Gunners’ kryptonite this season.
However, if they do not find the net before the interval, it will all be for nothing.
Arsenal 0-0 Newcastle
27. Another quick Newcastle break catches out Arsenal.
As the ball is played into the middle, no one is attacking the area.
Barnes knows that was where he should have been.
Credit: Reuters Arsenal 0-0 Newcastle
25. White dribbles the ball into the box tries to work an angle to get a shot away.
The Magpies close him down well and get some good sliding challenges in.
As a result, they are able to clear their lines and protect Pope’s goal.
Arsenal 0-0 Newcastle
23. As another corner comes into the box, Burn has another free header in the middle.
He sends his effort sailing over the bar but the referee awards a free kick to the hosts.
Guimaraes pushed Trossard over at the near post, silly foul, the Belgian was never going to win the ball.
Arsenal 0-0 Newcastle
21. This has been a great start to the game.
Arsenal are used to having things their own way at home and dominating possession.
Newcastle are really taking the game to them and asking some serious questions of their back four and keeper.
Arsenal 0-0 Newcastle
19. How Newcastle are not ahead in this game is just baffling.
Burn gets up to head a cross goalwards but Raya makes a great reaction save.
Barnes gets the loose ball and pokes it towards goal but the Spaniard clears with his feet.
Wild stuff.
Arsenal 0-0 Newcastle
17. Barnes tries his luck from outside the box.
The low drive deflects off Partey and is heading into the far corner but Raya gets down well to tip it around the post.
He may not be able to kick a ball well but he certainly can make some saves.
Credit: PA View from SunSport’s Lloyd Canfield at The Emirates
There is a nervous energy ringing around the Emirates here, as Newcastle have shown some early signs of posing a real threat to the Gunners.
In the opening few minutes, David Raya was forced into a double save by Bruno Guimaraes, and the home side’s passes just don’t seem to be coming off with the fluidity that they were earlier this season.
Arsenal need to settle and start doing the simple things well.
Arsenal 0-0 Newcastle
15. The Gunners are sporting next season’s kit today.
They win a corner after a glancing header from Partey is turned behind by Pope.
It is played short and worked to Odegaard on the edge of the box, his first-time shot heads into orbit.
Arsenal 0-0 Newcastle
13. Gordon is down on the far side of the pitch.
It seems to be something he has added to his game this season, going down at the slightest touch from an opponent.
He has spent more time on the grass than Snoop Dogg this campaign.
Arsenal 0-0 Newcastle
11. The Magpies have started this game well.
Livramento has a sight of goal but his shot is straight at Raya.
They are playing through the hosts with their crisp passing.
Arsenal 0-0 Newcastle
9. Newcastle know they cannot afford to miss chances like that.
They be few and far between in North London and need to show more of a clinical edge.
Early warning for The Gunners that Howe’s side have come here to take three points home with them.
Arsenal 0-0 Newcastle
7. Massive chance for the visitors to take the lead.
Raya makes up for his initial error as he saves Wilson’s shot and then gets back to his feet to claw Guimaraes’ follow up away.
He made up for his blunder there, a dreadful kick straight to a Newcastle player.
To think Arteta signed him for his ability wiith the ball at his feet.
Credit: AP Arsenal 0-0 Newcastle
5. It is a full-house for the last Premier League game of the season in North London for Arsenal.
They will be hoping to see an emphatic victory for their team.
White goes to ground in the area but the tackle from Burn was fair.
Arsenal 0-0 Newcastle
3. A win for The Magpies today see them leapfrog Arsenal in the table.
That in itself should be enough motivation for Mikel Arteta’s side.
It would be seen a terrible end to the season to drop to third in the table coupled with another trophyless campaign.
Arsenal 0-0 Newcastle
1. The Forest win this afternoon will concern Newcastle.
They can still catch The Magpies in the race for the top five.
The Gunners meanwhile are just looking to secure second spot.
Kick-off: Arsenal vs Newcastle
We are underway at The Emirates.
The Magpies really need to get something from North London.
Newcastle get the game started.
A nervy end in London…
West Ham were beaten by Nottingham Forest, but it was a close one at the London Stadium.
Forest keep themselves in the hunt, and now both these sides will need the points even more.
Toon eyeing history
Newcastle have got the better of Arsenal on all three times the two sides have met this season.
The North East outfit won the return fixture at St James’ Park 1-0 and won both legs of the Carabao Cup semi-final.
Should the Magpies win at the Emirates this afternoon, the Toon will become the first side ever to beat the Gunners four times in a single season.
And they would leapfrog them in the Prem table.
Credit: EPA Today’s officials
Referee: Simon Hooper
Assistants: Adrian Holmes, Simon Long
Fourth official: Andy Madley
VAR: Michael Salisbury
Assistant VAR: Marc Perry
Credit: Getty Saliba joins 100 club
William Saliba has been one of the standout defenders in world football in recent years.
His partnership with Gabriel has been dubbed by many as the greatest defensive pairing.
The Frenchman today makes his 100th appearance for Arsenal as he starts beside Jakub Kiwior.
Credit: Getty View of SunSport’s Tom Barclay from the Emirates
There is no Alexander Isak today for Newcastle due to a minor groin injury.
Instead, Callum Wilson leads the line as Eddie Howe continues with his 3-4-2-1 formation that saw the Magpies beat Chelsea 2-0 last week.
Meanwhile, Kai Havertz returns to the Arsenal matchday squad for the first time since playing the Toon in the Carabao Cup semi-final on February 5.
The Germany star has been out in the intervening three months after damaging his hamstring during a mid-season warm-weather trip to Dubai.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
