Arsenal host Newcastle United in Saturday’s must-win clash at the Emirates Stadium, as Premier League Round 34 kicks-off for the Gunners, who can swiftly regain top spot.
The Gunners are at risk of losing three straight top-flight games for the first time in four years, a fate that befell the Magpies in last weekend's home horror show.
When Martin Dubravka went up for a last-minute corner in Burnley vs. Manchester City on Wednesday night, Arsenal and Clarets supporters hoped for Alisson Becker vs. West Bromwich Albion 2.0, as the Sky Blues faithful watched on with pained expressions.
However, Scott Parker's men could not take a leaf out of Nicolas Jover's set-piece book, as Man City's 1-0 triumph - as nervy as it was - took the Citizens back to the top of the standings, albeit only by virtue of a superior goals scored total.
After spurning a glorious opportunity to move 12 points clear of Manchester City two weeks ago, the Gunners, who ought to have run away with the title, have suddenly been pegged back by Pep Guardiola’s Citizens.
The 1–0 win over Burnley on Wednesday night saw City climb to the division’s summit for the first time since August. Arsenal are now playing the role of the hunters, even if both teams are locked at the top on equal points and goal difference. The Gunners play twice before their title rivals are next in league action, so they’ve got another great chance to pile the pressure on Guardiola’s side.
City's FA Cup commitments this weekend means that Arsenal only need a point against Newcastle to reclaim first place, but the form book suggests that will be easier said than done for Mikel Arteta, who suffered an unwanted first that Unai Emery never suffered last weekend.
Coming up short in the highly-anticipated blockbuster with Man City, Arsenal's 2-1 defeat saw the Gunners lose four domestic games in a row for the first time since Arsene Wenger's farewell season in 2017-18, as the inevitable 'bottle' accusations grow louder by the week.
The hosts - who also have a Champions League semi-final with Atletico Madrid to look forward to next week - have cut exhausted figures in recent weeks, but there was little majorly wrong with the performance at the Etihad, where the individual quality in Pep Guardiola's ranks simply shone through.
Newcastle have troubled Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal in the past, but the Magpies are slumping towards a mightily disappointing finish. They’ve lost three in a row since they were battered by Barcelona in the second leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie. Unlikely to be dragged into the relegation dogfight, Newcastle aren’t playing for all that much, and that’s been reflected by a string of apathetic performances that have infuriated supporters.
Eddie Howe’s robust and physical Newcastle have rattled Arsenal in the past. They won three of their four meetings last season, but the Gunners have responded by claiming back-to-back wins. Moreover, the Magpies haven’t won a Premier League game at the Emirates since 2010.
Arsenal succumbed in last week’s title showdown, but there was undoubtedly reason for encouragement at the Etihad. The Gunners performed as well as they have done in 2026, with Arteta‘s brave team selection and the utilization of Kai Havertz in attack facilitating a courageous display that warranted a point. Similar bravery will be rewarded this weekend, but that’s never a guarantee with the Arsenal boss.
Team News
Martin Odegaard led the Arsenal side out at the Etihad again following his recovery from a niggling knee injury, and Arteta is now confident that Bukayo Saka (calf) and Riccardo Calafiori (unspecified) will make Saturday's squad.
Jurrien Timber (ankle) is not ready yet, though, while Mikel Merino (foot) is making steady progress in his recovery from surgery but will not be back for a few weeks yet.
Neither Ben White nor Cristhian Mosquera have convinced in the right-back role of late, but with Timber still sidelined, one will be pressed into action again here.
Sticking with the theme of injured right-backs, Newcastle lost Tino Livramento to a thigh problem in their loss to Bournemouth, one that will certainly rule him out of Saturday's game and potentially the rest of the season.
Livramento may have therefore played his final game for the Magpies ahead of an expected move away, while Arsenal-linked Anthony Gordon is also set to miss the Emirates trip due to his own groin issue.
Emil Krafth (knee), Fabian Schar (ankle) and Joelinton (suspended) make up Newcastle's confirmed absentees this weekend, but the indispensable Bruno Guimaraes may be restored to the XI after his welcome return from injury.
