Newcastle United vs Arsenal preview: Tickets, team news, line ups and odds

Super Santi: The Arsenal playmaker scores against Newcastle
Paul Gilham/Getty Images
James Benge28 August 2015

Arsenal travel to Newcastle for Saturday’s lunch-time kick-off in desperate need of a victory to jump start their title challenge.

The visitors are already five points off early pace-setters Manchester City and cannot afford to enter the international break any further behind the table-toppers. But they will not find it easy against Steve McClaren’s side.

Both sides played out 0-0 draws last weekend but the response to both could scarcely have been more different. Holding out Manchester United was cause for Newcastle to celebrate; a fifth scoreless performance in six home games has prompted soul-searching at the Emirates.

Will the Gunners get their season going at last? Or can Newcastle hold out once more?

Scott Heavey/PA

Date, time and venue

Newcastle United welcome Arsenal to St James’ Park for a 12:45 kick-off on Saturday 29 August.

Where to watch

Live coverage of the match will be available on BT Sport from 12pm

Tickets

Away tickets for Arsenal supporters are sold out.

Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Form and recent encounters

Four points after three games is not the sort of electric start Arsene Wenger would have envisaged for his side as they look to mount a title-challenge.

A 0-0 draw at home to Liverpool is generally not a result to be ashamed of but it could have been so much worse as Philippe Coutinho, Christian Benteke and Roberto Firmino tore into a makeshift backline of Calum Chambers and Gabriel. Had it not been for heroics from Petr Cech the outcome could have been far worse.

Arsene Wenger’s team are already five points off the top of the table after their opening day stumble at home to West Ham. This match therefore takes on huge significance as the Gunners look to head into the international break on a high.

Steve McClaren is still chasing a first league win as Newcastle manager but a comfortable 4-1 League Cup victory over Northampton added to a pleasing week for the Magpies.

Fabricio Coloccini and company put in a fine defensive display in last weekend’s early kick-off, defying Manchester United to secure their second point of the season. Coming after a 2-0 humbling at Swansea that revived many of the concerns the club faced last season a creditable 0-0 draw has improved the mood on Tyneside.

Few fans of either side will forget the thrilling comeback in 2011 that turned a 4-0 Arsenal lead into a 4-4 Arsenal draw. However since that day the Gunners have been by far the dominant side, dropping points only once since, and winning this fixture last season thanks to two Olivier Giroud goals.

Team news

After missing Monday’s draw with Liverpool both Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny remain doubts for the trip to Newcastle, with Wenger rating the Frenchman the most likely of the two to be fit.

In attack both Danny Welbeck and Jack Wilshere are expected back soon after the international break, with Tomas Rosicky Arsenal’s only long-term injury absence.

Arsenal vs Liverpool: Olivier Giroud in focus

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Newcastle have both Moussa Sissoko and Daryl Janmaat available after injury and suspension whilst McClaren may also give a first Premier League start to new signing Florian Thauvin. The Frenchman impressed on his first start for the Magpies against Northampton, playing a role in each of the four goals.

Newcastle United possible XI: Krul, Janmaat, Mbemba, Coloccini, Haidara, Anita, Colback, Perez, Wijnaldum, Thauvin, Mitrovic

Arsenal possible XI: Cech, Bellerin, Chambers, Gabriel, Monreal, Coquelin, Cazorla, Ramsey, Ozil, Sanchez, Giroud

Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

What they’re saying

Wenger: “We want to do well at Newcastle but it’s always very, very, very tight and very committed there because the crowd is always behind their team

“They have just come out from a good result at Manchester United so it’s important that we prepare well and we give absolutely everything to win this game before the break.

“We have always done very well away from home. Last season and the season before, it was the last game of the season that we had to win. There has always been something big at stake, but we like pressure.”

Match Odds (William Hill)

Despite being the home team Newcastle are priced at a sizeable 5/1 to win, with Arsenal strong favourites at 1/2. The draw is 10/3.

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