Arsenal vs Newcastle Prediction: Magpies can punish sleeping Gunners

Despite being second for the majority of the Premier League season, Arsenal could be leapfrogged by Newcastle United, who travel to the Emirates on Sunday (16:30, Sky Sports Main Event). The Gunners have experienced four draws in their last six outings in the top flight and it has opened the door for the chasing pack to catch up with them.

The visitors head into this with seven victories in their past nine, clinching a huge result against Chelsea last time out. Read on for my Arsenal vs Newcastle predictions, aided by the latest team news and match odds.

Football Odds

Team News

Arsenal will be sweating over the fitness of midfielder Declan Rice, who was nominated for Premier League Player of the Season, after he missed last week's trip to Liverpool with a minor hamstring issue.

Those concerns have been amplified by Mikel Merino's sending off at Anfield, ruling him out for this clash and potentially leaving Mikel Arteta short of midfield options.

Leandro Trossard suffered a hamstring issue of his own at Liverpool and he too will need to be monitored ahead of Sunday. The Belgian was seen in team training this week, suggesting he could have a role to play against Newcastle.

Kai Havertz may return to the matchday squad after missing the last 12 league fixtures with a hamstring problem he picked up on a training camp in Dubai. The German has returned to training this week, and in light of absences, he might be handed a place on the bench.

Gabriel Magalhaes (hamstring), Takehiro Tomiyasu and Gabriel Jesus (knee) remain confined to the treatment room.

Newcastle are without the services of Lewis Hall (ankle), Joelinton (knee), Matt Targett (hamstring), Kieran Trippier (calf) and former Arsenal man Joe Willock (thigh) due to injury.

Sven Botman picked up a knock against Chelsea last time out and he is a doubt to feature in north London. Jamaal Lascelles returned to the squad after a lengthy period on the sidelines, and he may be considered to feature this weekend in Botman's absence.

Eddie Howe went with a back three against Chelsea, which could continue if Lascelles were to come in, or he may opt to revert to a back four, potentially promoting Emil Krafth to the starting XI.

Arsenal vs Newcastle Odds

Arsenal have won two of their last five home games in the league and they are 19/20 to beat Newcastle.

The Gunners have drawn four of their past six matches in the top flight and the stalemate is marketed at 11/4, which has an implied probability of 26.7%.

Newcastle are the same price to collect the three points, which they have managed in seven of their previous nine attempts.

The two teams have met three times this season already and each game featured fewer than three goals. Under 2.5 goals is on offer at 11/10.

Draw or Newcastle and both teams to score @ 13/8

It sounds crazy to think that if Arsenal are not careful in the last two weeks of the season, they might slip out of the Uefa Champions League spots, having spent most of the season comfortably inside the top five.

Draws have been a huge problem for them this season, with 14 already, and only Everton (15) have experienced more stalemates in the Premier League this term. The Gunners have one win in their last six and they are welcoming a side buoyant from beating a direct rival in Chelsea last time out, who have seven wins in nine fixtures in the top flight.

Momentum is with Newcastle coming into this game, and they have bested Arsenal three times already this campaign (twice in the Carabao Cup semi-finals). They will be fired up for this contest as they have the opportunity to leapfrog Arsenal and move into second.

Given the way they have been playing in recent months, I'd fancy them to do it. However, Arsenal have had a habit of being able to grind out draws of late, with four in their past six outings in the league, and I think the added insurance of a stalemate is worth taking on Sunday.

I think both teams to score is worth adding to the selection because it has been a successful bet in the Gunners' last three contests in the Premier League.

Alexander Isak anytime goalscorer @ 8/5

Arsenal have struggled greatly this season without a recognised centre-forward, and they are constantly being linked with or 'told' to go after Newcastle's main man up front.

Alexander Isak has been phenomenal for the Magpies this term, netting 23 goals in 33 league games. Arsenal supporters would dream of having him lead their attack but he is having a great time at Newcastle, who have had a far more successful campaign than their hosts with their Carabao Cup triumph.

The Sweden international has scored twice against Arsenal this season, including one at the Emirates in their Carabao Cup semi-final clash. He heads into this contest with three goals in five league matches, and I believe he will once again show Arsenal what they are missing.

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