St. James’ Park is set to come alive once more later today as Newcastle United are set to welcome strong league contenders Arsenal for the seventh match of the 2025/26 Premier League campaign.
Goal deficient Newcastle will be hoping to improve their performance which has been somewhat average so far. Meanwhile with Martin Odegaard back, Arsenal will be hopeful to get back to winning ways after their draw with Manchester City. The gunners have had little success at St. James Park recently with just a win in their last five visits in all competitions and manager Mikel Arteta hopes for a significant boost to his side as captain Odegaard is now available.
The Magpies are still lacking on the attack since the departure of Alexander Isak as they have failed to score in five of their last seven and are currently only four points away from the stage in which they finished last season.
Head-to-Head and stats
Newcastle have an amazing home record against the gunners as they have won the last three matches against Arsenal at St. James Park without conceding and stand a good chance of winning a fourth for the first time since August 1969.
Impressively, Newcastle have scored in the opening 20 minutes of their last two home games while six of Arsenal’s ten Premier League goals this season have come in the 15 minutes of either half.
Lineups
Newcastle remains without Fabian Schär due to head injury while Kal Havertz and Noni Madueke are sidelined for Arsenal clash.
Following last week’s 0-0 draw in Bournemouth, manager Howie will start Pope in goal and Livramento, Thiaw, Botman, and Burn in defense while Guimarães, Tonali and Joelinton will come in midfield leaving Murphy, Woltemade and Gordon on the attack.
On the other hand, Arteta will start David Rays in goal with a combination of Rice, Zubimendi and Eze on the back line. This leaves trio Trossard, Gyokeres and Saka to lead the attack.
However, Arsenal’s timid approach to big games this season coupled with Newcastle’s goal-shy nature this run makes it probable that we will see few goals today.
