Arsenal vs Newcastle Prediction: 9/2 for Gabriel to haunt the Magpies again

Arsenal are now on the back foot in the Premier League title race following their defeat at Manchester City last Sunday. The Gunners are now behind the Citizens on goal difference, so they cannot afford to drop any more points. Arsenal's next game comes at the Emirates as they host Newcastle United on Saturday (17:30 BST, Sky Sports Main Event).

The Magpies have lost three successive fixtures in the top flight as questions are starting to be asked about boss Eddie Howe's position. Below you can check out my Arsenal vs Newcastle prediction, featuring the latest team news and match odds.

Team News

Bukayo Saka (calf), Jurrien Timber (ankle), Mikel Merino (foot) and Riccardo Calafiori (knock) are all set to miss out for Arsenal through injury.

Despite losing to City last week, Mikel Arteta may name the same team to take on Newcastle. Viktor Gyokeres is likely to be rested in preparation for their Uefa Champions League semi-final first leg against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.

Premier League Odds

Newcastle defender Tino Livramento could miss the rest of the season with a groin issue. The full-back is expected to leave the club in the summer so the fans may have seen him play his final game for the Magpies.

Emil Krafth (knee), Fabian Schar (ankle) and Joelinton (suspended) are the other absentees for the visitors, while Anthony Gordon is a doubt owing to a groin problem.

Arsenal vs Newcastle Odds

Arsenal are deemed the 4/9 favourites to win this clash, and they are seeking a third straight league victory against the Magpies.

Newcastle have won three of their previous eight outings in the top flight and they are 11/2 to inflict a third consecutive defeat on Arsenal in the Premier League.

The draw can be backed at 18/5.

Four of the five most recent head-to-heads have gone Under 2.5 Goals, which is priced at 5/4 for Saturday.

Today's Football Fixtures

Match Result & Both Teams To Score - Arsenal & Yes @ 15/8

If Arsenal wish to avoid bottling another chance at winning the Premier League title, they need to be flawless in their final five games because City are usually ruthless when it comes to this stage of the season.

Arsenal were 10 points clear at the summit last month, and they now find themselves behind Pep Guardiola's side on goal difference. Arteta faces massive scrutiny this summer if his team finishes second.

He and his players cannot afford self-pity after back-to-back defeats in the top flight. They need to regain their focus. The Gunners have three of their final five league fixtures at home, and they really need to be looking at picking up nine points from them, starting with Newcastle.

The Magpies are on a three-game losing streak as they look like they will be resigned to an underwhelming mid-table finish. Arsenal should have enough quality to get past Eddie Howe's team, but I am backing the visitors to get on the scoresheet, as it has struck in nine of their 10 most recent outings in the Premier League.

Anytime Goalscorer - Gabriel @ 9/2

This might be a bold choice but we all know how much Arsenal love their set pieces. The Gunners have scored a league-high 19 goals from such situations in the Premier League this season.

Defender Gabriel has three goals himself this term, and one of them came in September's reverse fixture. His 96th-minute header sealed Arsenal the three points at St. James' Park.

Newcastle have proven to be quite vulnerable from set plays, conceding 14 times from these scenarios in the top flight. A corner or free-kick may just be the difference for Arsenal here, and Gabriel could be the man to rise (quite literally) to the occasion.

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