Arsenal vs Newcastle: Premier League Showdown as Gunners Face Howe’s Team
Arsenal is set to face Newcastle in a crucial Premier League clash at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday. The Gunners will be looking to bounce back from their heartbreaking 1-0 defeat to Porto in the Champions League, where Galeno scored a last-minute goal. Mikel Arteta and his side were left feeling aggrieved following their 1-0 defeat to Newcastle in November, with Anthony Gordon’s goal being controversially given after a lengthy VAR check. However, Arteta has been cleared of any wrongdoing following his post-match comments.
The Spaniard could now be approaching Saturday’s game with revenge in mind as Arsenal seeks to secure a vital win. The match is scheduled for Saturday, February 24, with a kick-off time of 8pm GMT. Fans in the UK can watch the game live on TNT Sports, and it can also be streamed through the Discovery+ app on mobile or tablet devices.
In terms of team news, Fabio Vieira returned to the Arsenal squad on Wednesday after recovering from a groin injury, making him a potential contender to play. However, Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko, and Takehiro Tomiyasu remain doubtful. On the other hand, Newcastle has a lengthy injury list with Callum Wilson set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines due to a pectoral injury. Aleksandr Isak may also miss out with a groin issue, while Joe Willock and Fabian Schar could be back in contention after their respective injury spells. Nick Pope, Matt Targett, Joelinton, and Elliot Anderson are still unavailable.
The star players to watch in this match will be Bukayo Saka from Arsenal and Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle. Saka has been in excellent form this season, scoring 12 goals and providing eight assists in 24 league appearances. Arsenal legend Arsene Wenger even hailed him as “world class.” Guimaraes, on the other hand, has been one of Newcastle’s standout players this season, registering seven goal contributions in 24 games and remaining relatively unaffected by injuries.
Looking ahead to the game, Arteta expressed his satisfaction with Arsenal’s efficiency in front of goal and the team’s purposeful play. He emphasized the importance of playing forward and being a threat, which has given them more tranquility to finish games off. Howe, on the other hand, acknowledged that Newcastle is not at their best currently but highlighted their unbeaten streak and consistent point accumulation.
As Arsenal and Newcastle prepare to face each other again, both teams will be aiming for a crucial victory. Arsenal will be looking to avenge their previous defeat to Newcastle and continue their impressive Premier League run of form. On the other hand, Newcastle will be determined to secure points and maintain their position in the Champions League chase. With star players on both sides, this promises to be an exciting showdown at the Emirates Stadium.