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Arsenal vs Newcastle United preview: The battle for 3rd?

By on May 8, 2025

Riccardo Calafiori, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli

Arsenal take on Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday May 18th with both sides battling to finish in the Champions League qualification places.

The Gunners saw their title challenge collapse last month with Liverpool crowned champions thanks to their 15-point lead at the top of the table with just three games remaining. Injuries haven’t helped Arsenal, but the form in recent weeks hasn’t been good enough with the club failing to beat the likes of West Ham, Everton, Brentford, Crystal Palace and most recently Bournemouth.

The fact four of those games were at home only adds to the frustration among fans with Arsenal tickets as taking two points from four home games against West Ham, Brentford, Palace and Bournemouth is simply not good enough if you want to be champions.

Arteta knows he needs to strengthen his squad to be able to cope with the injuries that always occur during a long season and Arsenal just don’t have enough depth to compete on all fronts right now.

It’s true that Arsenal have focussed on the Champions League in recent weeks which will no doubt have impacted on their league form. However, the Gunners boss now has a huge task to get his players motivated for the final league games after Arsenal lost to Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-finals. 

The problem is the poor run of form has seen Arsenal’s lead in second place diminish, and we now head into the last three games just three points above third-placed Man City. Newcastle and Chelsea are a further point behind in fourth and fifth, with Forest another two adrift in sixth.

Realistically, given our goal difference, Arsenal need just one win to secure a top five finish and with it Champions League qualification. But we are in real danger of missing out on second to City as they have a favourable run-in while Arsenal play Liverpool, Newcastle and Southampton.

Therefore, the game against Newcastle could be viewed as the battle for third. Chelsea have a very tough end to the season so they may be looking at fourth as the best they can achieve, leaving it up to Arsenal and the Magpies to fight it out with City for the three places behind Liverpool.

How to watch

The game will be broadcast live on Sky Sports on May 18th, kicking off at 4.30pm UK time.

Fans can also buy Arsenal vs Newcastle United tickets and watch the action live in person at the Emirates Stadium.

Team news

Arsenal’s injury problems have slowly been easing over the past few weeks with Riccardo Calafiori the latest to return to action. The Italian came off the bench against PSG in midweek so should be in contention for a starting spot against Newcastle.

Jurrien Timber and Mikel Merino have shaken off knocks recently so they’ll be available, however, Arteta is still without four important players.

Gabriel Jesus isn’t expected to return to action until the latter stages of 2025 after undergoing surgery on a serious ACL injury that he sustained in January. The Brazilian international has endured an injury-plagued time since joining Arsenal but this latest injury is the most severe of them all.

Takehiro Tomiyasu has also been ruled out until at least October after undergoing surgery on a knee injury that’s troubled him all season. The defender has barely played this campaign and the decision was made in February to go under the knife to finally cure the nagging issue.

Gabriel Magalhaes won’t play again this season after tearing his hamstring in late March and his absence has been a big blow for Arsenal. Kai Havertz has also been out since February after tearing his hamstring while on the warm weather training camp in Duabi. He’s been taking part in individual training sessions but it remains to be seen whether Arteta will risk bringing him back for the final few games or just let him fully recover ahead of next season.

As for Newcastle, they have their own injury concerns as Lewis Hall won’t play again this season due to an ankle injury while Matt Targett is another absentee due to a hamstring problem.

Jamaal Lascelles is unlikely to play again this season due to a knee injury while Joelinton’s campaign is also over as he’s nursing a knee problem, too. However, Fabian Schar and Kieran Trippier could be back from thigh injuries in time to face Arsenal.

Possible line-up

It will be interesting to see how Arteta tackles the last few games as he may opt to rotate his squad and give some fringe players minutes. However, with so much still at stake, I expect him to go virtually full strength.

We might see Ben White get a run out at right-back to improve his match fitness after a tough season. This would also give Timber a well-earned rest. Calafiori could also get a start at left-back with Myles Lewis-Skelly rested. Jakub Kiwior has performed well filling-in for Gabriel and he should keep his place alongside William Saliba.

Thomas Partey has enjoyed a fine campaign and may still earn a new contract. I expect him to start in midfield along with Declan Rice – who’s been one of Arsenal’s best and most consistent performers this season.

Bukayo Saka will likely start on the right wing and he’ll want to end a frustrating season on a high note. Gabriel Martinelli could keep his place on the left flank ahead of Leandro Trossard with Mikel Merino leading the line up front.

Possible Arsenal XI: Raya, White, Saliba, Kiwior, Calafiori, Partey, Rice, Odegaard, Saka, Martinelli, Merino

Prediction

It’s going to be a tough end to the season for Arsenal after the disappointment of missing out on the Premier League and losing to PSG in the semi-finals of the Champions League. Arteta has a big job to try and lift the players for the last few games but we still need points to guarantee a top five finish and secure Champions League football for next season.

Newcastle are right in the mix as well so they’ll be fighting for their lives, so it should be a tense game in North London. The Geordies are the in-form team and will be quietly confident of getting a result at the Emirates.

However, the Arsenal players won’t want to lose their final home game of the season in front of the fans who’ve supported them so well all year. It should be a great game, but I’m predicting a draw. Arsenal 2-2 Newcastle United