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Newcastle vs Arsenal preview, Gabriel injury update + prediction

By on May 5, 2023

Bukayo-Saka-arsenal

Arsenal know nothing less than a win will be good enough when we take on Newcastle United at St James’ Park on Sunday afternoon.

After leading the Premier League table for the vast majority of the season, we’ve dropped to second following a poor run of form in April. We blew two-goal leads to draw 2-2 at Liverpool and West Ham before being held to a 3-3 draw at home to Southampton. Arsenal were then thumped 4-1 by Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.

Our eight point lead has evaporated and City have taken full advantage of our slump to close the gap. Arsenal did manage to return to winning ways with an impressive 3-1 win over Chelsea on Tuesday night. It was a dominant performance from Arsenal as Chelsea offered very little going forward and the score-line was flattering for them as we really should have scored 5 or 6.

That win saw Arsenal move back to the top of the table, however, Man City regained top spot with a comfortable 3-0 win over West Ham on Wednesday night. They now lead by a point and have a game in hand, and they can go four points clear if they beat Leeds United at home on Saturday. So, Arsenal are under pressure to respond with a win in the north east.

However, it’s going to be an extremely difficult game at St James’ Park as Newcastle are in terrific form. They are third in the table after beating Southampton 3-1 last weekend and are on course to qualify for the Champions League next season. Arsenal lost this fixture last season to end our hopes of coming fourth so the players will know hard difficult a task this is. Not many fans will be betting on Arsenal to win this game, that’s for sure.

Team news

Arsenal are set to be without William Saliba once again. The Frenchman is still struggling with a back injury that he sustained against Sporting Lisbon back in March. His absence has been hugely costly and coincided with our poor form and it’s no coincidence that we’ve failed to keep a clean sheet since Saliba has been out.

Rob Holding is a good pro but he’s nowhere near Saliba’s level. Jacub Kiwior did well enough against Chelsea on his full league debut so he could keep his place on Sunday. Holding may have to be recalled though if Gabriel Magalhaes fails to overcome an ankle injury that he picked up in midweek. The Brazilian is hopeful he’ll be passed fit, which would be a huge boost for Arsenal.

Takehiro Tomiyasu and Mohamed Elneny are out for the rest of the season with knee injuries. Gabriel Martinelli is pushing for a recall after being benched against Chelsea.

As for Newcastle, they’ll be without Jamaal Lascelles due to a calf injury and Emil Krafth is also set to miss out with a knee injury. Allan Saint-Maximin could return from a thigh problem while Sean Longstaff is a doubt with an ankle issue.

Prediction

Arsenal desperately need a win to stay in the title hunt. The players know they blew it against West Ham and Southampton, but now they need to show they can respond like champions. This is a great opportunity to prove how far this squad has come after the capitulation last year. The injuries to Saliba and Tomiyasu have been costly, and we’ll be screwed if Gabriel joins them on the sidelines.

Assuming the Brazilian is fit, I’m backing the boys to grind out 2-1 win. Newcastle are a terrifically well organised side and they’ll be dangerous, but I have a feeling Arsenal are going to win on Sunday to keep the title alive. Newcastle 1-2 Arsenal

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