Arsenal at Newcastle United preview: On the road again

September is wrapping up, and the Gunners are looking to end the month on a high note as they travel to St. James’ Park to take on Newcastle United on Sunday morning.

Arsenal are in the thick of their fixture list since returning from the first international break. Over the past two weeks, they kicked off their Champions League and Carabao Cup campaigns with road wins. Now, they hit the road for the third time in five matches, traveling to a park that has been extremely frustrating in recent visits.

Like last season, the big question mark for the Gunners so far has been the attack. Early injuries to Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka, plus the integration of new signings Noni Madueke, Vikto Gyökeres, and Eberechi Eze, has meant a rocky start. While you can continue to set your watch to the imperious defense, the attack has yet to click the way you’d like to see for the title challengers.

Newcastle’s staunch defense isn’t exactly the type of test you want for an attack in need of consistency. But the getting off the mark against a side that has blanked them in the last three matches may be a motivator while they seek to find their groove in front of goal.

Can the Gunners get off the mark and keep the Magpies at bay? Here are three talking points ahead of Sunday’s match:

Know the Enemy

Few opponents raise the blood pressure of the collective Arsenal fanbase quite like Newcastle, and few grounds make for a frustrating match quite like St. James’ Park. Over the past three matches across all competitions away to the Magpies, Arsenal have been blanked by the hosts in brutally draining matches punctuated by intense physicality and refs inexplicably swallowing their whistles.

After a lengthy period of dominance over the Magpies, Arsenal have lost 5 of their last 10 meetings as the Saudi-backed club have steadily gained their footing under Eddie Howe. Following nearly two decades away from Europe’s top cup competition, they returned to the Champions League in the 2023-24 season after a 4th place finish the season prior. Their resurgence was punctuated last season when they took home the Carabao Cup trophy for their first piece of silverware in 50 years.

Their rebuild hasn’t been smooth, though, as this past summer proved. Despite being able to offer CL football and having deep Saudi-backed pockets, the Magpies were gazumped on a several transfer targets early on before star striker Alexander Isak went on strike to force a move to Liverpool.

To their credit, they made a number of solid moves in the attack and midfield that made the loss of Isak sting just a little less, bringing in Yoanne Wissa from Brentford, Jacob Ramsey from Aston Villa, Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest, and Nick Woltemade from Stuttgart. In the back, they brought in former Arsenal shot stopper Aaron Ramsdale, who has yet to make an appearance for Newcastle this season.

Still, the early season has fallen short of expectations. They’ve managed 1 win in league play, against 20th placed Wolves, with 3 draws and 1 particularly deflating defeat that they suffered when they lost in stoppage time to Liverpool at home after clawing back from a 0-2 deficit while down a man. Their CL campaign started with a 1-2 loss to Barcelona, though that’s not entirely a shock. Their Carabao Cup debut saw them see off Bradford City 4-1, though little can be taken from that game besides the fact their opponent was sorely overmatched.

Despite the abundance of attacking options, it’s been the defense that has held the Magpies together so far. The three goals they have allowed in the league all came against Liverpool, and they have given away next to nothing in front of goal. That’s not hard to imagine with the imposing duo of Fabian Scharr and Dan Burn shoring up the back.

Unfortunately for the Magpies, Scharr has been ruled out of the match with a facial injury. Likewise, Yoanne Wissa and Jacob Ramsey are both set to miss Sunday’s match as well.

Injuries & Suspensions

Arsenal’s early fixture list has been a veritable injury minefield. More aptly, their PL schedule has been brutal; they have averaged one new injury per match, which, in an age of advanced metrics, is a very aggravating stat. Noni Madueke was the latest Gunner to join the list of the walking wounded when he felt something in his knee in the first half against Manchester City, and the early prognosis has him out for 2 months. It could have been a lot worse, so you take the silver linings where they come.

Martin Ødegaard’s availability is still murky at best after a second shoulder injury has seen him miss the last three matches. Even if he is fit, the thought of the Bruno Guimares gleefully leaving one on him gives reason for considerable trepidation. The bone-crunching brand of football that the Magpies play is far from ideal for a player returning from an impact injury, but if he is available, he may very well be on the pitch.

Ben White returned on Wednesday after another injury layoff. Piero Hincapie, who made a brief cameo against Athletic Club, has been ruled out with a groin injury.

OUT: Kai Havertz (knee), Gabriel Jesus (ACL), Noni Madueke (knee), Piero Hincapie (groin)

QUESTIONABLE: Martin Ødegaard (shoulder)

Predicted Lineup

Attack: Eze, Gyökeres, Saka

The front line carousel continues. Arsenal have rotated through options all season due to injury and finding how to fit new signings. Eberechi Eze got off the mark against Port Vale from the midfield, and will be tasked with dragging the Newcastle defense apart from the left. He is still fitting into the side, but has all of the talent necessary to be a difference maker. Viktor Gyökeres, the media’s favorite whipping post, will get a chance to put his physicality to the test against Newcastle’s massive CB pairing. He has looked better with each match, and is starting to link up better with his teammates. Bukayo Saka is back and got some quality minutes against Port Vale. A 2nd half ankle knock had hearts in throats, but Mikel Arteta confirmed that he is fine and ready for Sunday.

Midfield: Rice, Zubimendi, Ødegaard

After missing out on the past three matches, Martin Ødegaard returns to the side. The attack has looked glaringly average in the absence of he and Saka. If he is fit, I have no doubt he starts. The midfield is simply better with him in it. If he is still unavailable, then we may see an Eze start in the middle after Ethan Nwaneri played the full 90 on Wednesday. Declan Rice got a bit of rest, coming off the bench late on Wednesday to see the match out, while Martin Zubimendi got the night off away at Port Vale as an unused sub.

Defense: Calafiori, Gabriel, Saliba, Timber

Arsenal heavily rotated the back line on Wednesday with the exception of William Saliba, who needed match minutes to get back to fitness. Fresh legs for Newcastle will be important, and the league’s best defense returns to the pitch.

Keeper: Raya

Kepa had a fine, if not largely quiet, night on Wednesday, but the spot is still very much David Raya’s. He has proven all season why he is one of the game’s top players in his position.

Arsenal are so incredibly close to being the complete product. They finally have the big-name striker and the type of depth that means an injury doesn’t derail the whole season. All that’s missing is the execution in the final third. The Magpies will be tough to break down, but getting a goal or two past them could do wonders for their self belief as they look to close the gap on Liverpool and keep the title race tight.

WHO: Arsenal at Newcastle United
WHAT: Premier League match day 6
WHEN: Sunday, September 28th, 11:30am EST/8:30am PST/4:30pm GMT
WHERE: St. James’ Park, Newcastle
HOW TO WATCH: Broadcast live on the USA Network

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