Arsenal vs Newcastle United. Premier League.
Emirates StadiumAttendance59,886.
No fresh Arsenal injury concerns but Newcastle striker Dwight Gayle doubtful; Eddie Howe in dugout for first time at Emirates Stadium; follow Arsenal vs Newcastle in our dedicated live match blog; watch free match highlights on Sky Sports digital platforms and YouTube channel from 5.15pm
Saturday 27 November 2021 13:05, UK
Team news, stats and prediction ahead of Arsenal vs Newcastle in the Premier League on Saturday; kick-off 12.30pm.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has no new selection problems ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash with struggling Newcastle.
The Spaniard has also been boosted by the news that midfielder Granit Xhaka could return before the end of the year after making good progress in his recovery from a knee ligament injury.
However, Bosnia and Herzegovina defender Sead Kolasinac is still missing with an ankle problem picked up on international duty earlier this month.
Arsenal provisional squad: Ramsdale, Tomiyasu, White, Gabriel, Tavares, Saka, Lokonga, Maitland-Niles, Smith Rowe, Lacazette, Odegaard, Leno, Tierney, Aubameyang, Holding, Soares, Pepe, Elneny, Nketiah, Martinelli.
Newcastle striker Dwight Gayle is a doubt for the trip to the Emirates Stadium with a hamstring injury.
Gayle will be assessed after resuming light training on Thursday, but could join defender Paul Dummett (calf) on the sidelines.
Head coach Eddie Howe will be in the dugout after returning a negative Covid-19 test, and he faces a decision over whether to restore 'keeper Martin Dubravka to the starting line-up following his return from a foot problem in place of Karl Darlow, who endured a difficult afternoon in last Saturday's 3-3 draw with Brentford.
Newcastle provisional squad: Darlow, Dubravka, Manquillo, Murphy, Ritchie, Lewis, Krafth, Fernandez, Clark, Lascelles, Schar, Hayden, Shelvey, S Longstaff, Willock, Hendrick, Fraser, Almiron, Saint-Maximin, Wilson, Joelinton, Gayle.
Follow Arsenal vs Newcastle in our dedicated live match blog. Highlights will also be published on the Sky Sports digital platforms and the Sky Sports Football YouTube channel from 5.15pm on Saturday.
That was a huge reality check for Arsenal at Liverpool last weekend.
A 4-0 drubbing identified just how far away Mikel Arteta's side are from the top three teams in the Premier League. They are back in calmer waters on Saturday with a visit from Newcastle and the market expects them to win this quite comfortably, with 4/9 with Sky Bet on offer for a home win.
That is a price fraught with danger though, especially for those plotting an accumulator and getting involved with the early game.
I've really liked what I've seen from Arteta's boys in patches this season - the first halves vs Aston Villa and Leicester were top-four performances. However, this is a young side - the youngest average starting XI in the Premier League. Flakiness is expected.
Naturally, that will bring inconsistent results. I can't trust them in this game against a team that looked refreshed and motivated against Brentford and one that possess genuine quality in the final third with Callum Wilson and Allan Saint-Maximin. I think the 11/2 with Sky Bet for Newcastle to win their first game this season is worth a swing.
Before Eddie Howe took over, Newcastle over the last five games had been averaging just 6.5 shots per 90 minutes, an expected goals figure of 0.57 and four corners. That rocketed to 23 shots, a 1.76 expected goals recording and eight corners in the 3-3 with Brentford, who have been one of the most efficient defences in the Premier League this season. Howe likes his team to play progressively and although it's early days to be coming to sweeping conclusions, it was an encouraging start.
I wouldn't put people off taking Newcastle on the double chance (to win or draw) at 15/8 with Sky Bet but their defensive record is appalling so I've got trust issues there. I'd rather head to the shots and corners market for a spot of value.
Arsenal have conceded nearly six corners per 90 minutes this season, including four or more in 10 of their 12 Premier League fixtures this season. With Howe's men likely to attack, the 11/8 for them to win five or more corners looks the way to go.
SCORE PREDICTION: 1-2
BETTING ANGLE: Newcastle to win five or more corners (11/8 with Sky Bet)
Peter Smith is joined by Sky Sports pundit Alan Smith, and football journalist Simeon Gholam to look ahead to the Premier League weekend.
PART 1 | Alan Smith discusses Ralf Rangnick's appointment as Man Utd interim boss, what he will bring to the club, and how he could help their young players kick on. Is he paving the way for Mauricio Pochettino? Alan assesses Rangnick's consultancy role, which is planned to start next summer, too.
PART 2 | Simeon Gholam breaks down Brighton's mixed start to the campaign and what they need to do to get back to winning ways against Leeds.
PART 3 | Simeon - our EFL Editor - also looks at newly-promoted Brentford, who have also had a good start followed by a frustrating period, ahead of their Super Sunday clash with Everton.
