In the much-anticipated clash between Newcastle United and Arsenal, two teams with differing fortunes in the EFL Cup are gearing up for a thrilling Premier League showdown at St James’ Park. Newcastle pulled off an incredible win against Manchester United in the EFL Cup final, while Arsenal’s journey in the competition was cut short by West Ham. As they prepare to face off, let’s delve into the details of this exciting encounter.
Match Preview
Newcastle United and Arsenal are set to face off in a highly anticipated Premier League match at St James’ Park. This clash comes on the heels of contrasting results in the EFL Cup. Newcastle United delivered a stunning 3-0 victory over the holders, Manchester United, while Arsenal’s run in the competition was cut short with a 3-1 defeat to West Ham United.
In the EFL Cup final earlier in the year, Newcastle United managed to break Manchester United’s six-year trophy drought. They secured the title with impressive goals from Miguel Almiron, Lewis Hall, and Joe Willock. This victory was seen as sweet revenge for their previous Wembley disappointments. Following their EFL Cup triumph, Newcastle recorded a significant away win against Manchester United, further establishing themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the 2022-23 season.
However, Newcastle hasn’t had it easy in the Premier League. They recently squandered leads against Wolverhampton Wanderers and are currently sitting in sixth place with 17 points from 10 matches. While they have the potential to challenge for a Champions League spot, they face tough competition from teams like Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal, Liverpool, and Aston Villa.
Newcastle’s recent performance at home in the Premier League has been remarkable. They’ve won their last three games without conceding a goal, showcasing their regained defensive strength.
As for Arsenal, their quest for mid-season glory continues. It’s been almost three decades since they last won an EFL Cup, and their recent loss to West Ham extended this drought. However, they’ve been solid in the Premier League, remaining unbeaten after 10 games and sitting in second place behind Spurs.
Arsenal’s defensive record on the road is particularly noteworthy, having conceded only two goals in away matches. Their last encounter with Newcastle at St James’ Park resulted in a 2-0 victory for the Gunners, and they are looking to maintain their strong form.
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Team News
Newcastle’s impressive performance against Manchester United in the EFL Cup becomes even more commendable when considering their team selection. Several regular starters were rested, but their injury list continues to grow. Matt Targett suffered a hamstring problem just five minutes into the match. He was expected to make way for Dan Burn. The injury list includes Javier Manquillo (groin), Lewis Miley (illness), Alexander Isak (groin), Sven Botman (knee), Elliot Anderson (back), Jacob Murphy (shoulder), Harvey Barnes (foot), and the banned Sandro Tonali.
Joe Willock, despite his fine performance and goal against Arsenal, may be sidelined due to recent fitness issues. Bruno Guimaraes, Nick Pope, Kieran Trippier, Almiron, and Wilson are expected to return to the starting lineup.
Arsenal has also faced midweek injuries. Emile Smith Rowe is sidelined with a knee problem, while Thomas Partey (muscle) and Gabriel Jesus (hamstring) are not expected to return until late November or early December. Jurrien Timber is still recovering from an ACL injury.
The return of key players like Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Declan Rice, and William Saliba will be a boost for Arsenal. Aaron Ramsdale, who had a challenging game at the London Stadium, is expected to give way to David Raya in goal.
Possible Starting Lineups
Newcastle United: Pope; Trippier, Schar, Lascelles, Burn; Longstaff, Guimaraes, Joelinton; Almiron, Wilson, Gordon
Arsenal: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Tomiyasu; Odegaard, Jorginho, Rice; Saka, Nketiah, Martinelli
Match Prediction
Given the strong defensive records of both teams, we predict a 1-1 draw between Newcastle United and Arsenal. Despite their recent EFL Cup successes and strong Premier League form, the solid defensive performances of both sides are likely to result in a low-scoring affair. Arsenal aims to maintain their unbeaten run in the Premier League, while Newcastle seeks to continue their solid home defensive record.
Conclusion
With both teams boasting impressive defensive records, we anticipate a hard-fought battle with the potential for few goals. Newcastle’s resurgence at home and Arsenal’s unbeaten run in the Premier League make this clash even more intriguing. As the Magpies seek to continue their solid home defense and the Gunners aim to maintain their unbeaten top-flight record, the stage is set for an exciting and closely contested match.
