ARSENAL face a mammoth challenge in their next Premier League outing as they travel to Tyneside to take on high-flying Newcastle this afternoon.
The Gunners were hoping to be battling on all fronts this campaign after having an impressive start to the season.
However, a damning performance at the London Stadium helped West Ham dump Mikel Arteta’s men out of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night.
And now, Arsenal will have to pick themselves up against a Newcastle side who recently thrashed Manchester United at Old Trafford.
- Kick off time: 5.30pm GMT
- TV channel: Sky Sports Main Event
- Live stream: NOW
- Newcastle team: To follow…
- Arsenal team: To follow…
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Howe to derail the Gunners
Newcastle managed to beat Arsenal in this fixture last season, getting at their opponents and pressing high up the pitch.
It will be a full house, as ever, and if they can get the fans off their seats early on it will be a cauldron of noise for The Gunners to deal with.
They will take some confidence in how West Ham managed to breach the Arsenal defence so much in the week, as did Chelsea in the Premier League recently.
Spaniard unhappy with fringe chances
Mikel Arteta gave some of his fringe players the chance to impress in the cup this week but they let him down as his side were beaten 3-1 by West Ham.
As a result, the manager is likely to go back to his usual starting line-up today.
Still without the services of Gabriel Jesus, the chance presents itself for Eddie Nketiah to continue to impress up front.
Magpies looking to build on Carabao victory
Having won at Old Trafford in emphatic style, Eddie Howe will be keen for his side to dent the hopes of Arsenal’s title challenge.
St James’ Park is always a tough place to travel, only Liverpool seem to have the knack of coming away with all three points here.
Having lost many of their opening games, victory over Mikel Arteta’s side would make a big statement on their season ahead.
Welcome to Newcastle vs Arsenal
Eddie Howe’s side welcome Arsenal to St James’ Park as they look to end The Gunners’ unbeaten start to the Premier League season.
Matt Targett suffered an injury in the Carabao Cup midweek and will not be available as he joins Javier Manquillo, Lewis Miley, Alexander Isak, Sven Botman, Elliot Anderson, Jacob Murphy and Harvey Barnes in the rather crowded Magpies’ treatment room.
Added to that, they are without the services of Sandro Tonali until next season now.
From the side that played at Old Trafford, Bruno Guimaraes, Nick Pope, Kieran Trippier, Miguel Almiron and Callum Wilson are all expected to return to the starting line-up.
Mikel Arteta lost Emile Smith-Rowe in their midweek adventures as the unlucky 23-year-old will spend a few weeks out due to a knee problem.
Thomas Partey and Gabriel Jesus are expected to spend a number of weeks out injured also, while Jurrien Timber is on the long road back from his ACL injury.
Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Declan Rice and William Saliba are all expected to return to the starting XI.
Despite playing against West Ham in midweek, Aaron Ramsdale is expected to may way to David Raya as The Gunners return to league action.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
