Five games remaining. Five finals for Newcastle United – and perhaps just seven points needed to secure Champions League football.
Liverpool can go just three points behind us should they beat Brentford today, but we’ll have two games in hand on the Reds. The fight for the top-four remains well and truly in our hands, giving us a huge incentive to beat a title-chasing Arsenal tomorrow.
The visitors have been outstanding this season, yet they’ve started shipping goals, throwing away leads and showing signs of weakness that just didn’t seem to exist a few months ago – all while Eddie Howe’s Mags have come on strong, winning eight from nine and scoring 13 goals in our last three league games.
This is a different Gunners side to the one that crumbled at St James’ Park last May, where we played them off the park in a 2-0 win that left them outside the top four. 12 months later, a win over Mikel Arteta’s much-improved Arsenal would all but secure our place amongst Europe’s elite.
Here’s what Howe’s had to say ahead of the game:
“We’re competing against elite teams who will fight to the end and we have to do the same. In our five games we need to give our best preparation and focus to because the fight we’re in could go right to the end of the season.
“All season we haven’t focused on where we are, who’s around us, form of teams – we’ve just focused on ourselves and that’s all we can do. We have a tough run of fixtures but I think at the same time a great run of fixtures because every game is important. They’re great occasions and we look to carry on our good form.”
Team news
Allan Saint-Maximin (hamstring) could return to the bench after resuming training and a late call will be made on Sean Longstaff (foot).
Jamaal Lascelles (calf) has been ruled out for the season, with Emil Krafth (ACL) and Ryan Fraser (training with our U21s) also set to miss out once again.
For the visitors, William Saliba (back) has been ruled out once again, while centre-back partner Gabriel Magalhaes is facing a late fitness test after he was forced off in midweek.
Predicted line ups
(4-3-3): Pope – Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn – Longstaff, Bruno, Willock – Murphy, Isak, Joelinton.
The back five picks itself these days, but Howe will be faced with a few selection dilemmas should Sean Longstaff be passed fit.
If he’s ready to play, I’m confident he starts alongside Bruno G and Joe Willock in midfield, with Joelinton continuing down our left; where he can also help Dan Burn cope with Bukayo Saka.
It would then be Isak or Wilson and Murphy or Miggy for the final two spots in attack. If so, I see our unplayable Swede keeping his place along with much-improved Murphy; although we could see Isak on the left and Wilson up top should Longstaff miss out (which would result in Joelinton dropping back into midfield).
Gordon remains an option, but he’s still learning how to play in our system and doesn’t look quite up to speed physically, so I can’t see him starting this one.
Prediction
If they are without BOTH of their first choice centre-backs, I think the likes of Isak and/or Wilson could cause havoc, although I get the feeling Gabriel will start. Even then, will he be at 100%? I’m not so sure.
I expect us to come out the traps quickly, put them under pressure and not allow them to settle. An early goal could be massive – either way, I’m expecting the atmosphere to be electric.
Isak to score and Willock to shine against his former club in a tight win on Tyneside – all but securing a top-four finish and ending Arsenal’s title hopes.
Prediction: Newcastle 2-1 Arsenal
HWTL! – and don’t forget your black and white scarf!
Martinelli and Saka are obviously dangerous players but I think if we snuff Odegaard out then we control the game imo.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Getting. nip and tuck now one point 9in front of L/pool now 3 the jammy sods have won last two home games one nowt
Icedog(Quote)
Pool and Spurs have played 2 more than us .
kimtoon(Quote)
KIM i would prefer points to games in hand,you have to win your games in hand very often it does not happen ime afraid
icedog(Quote)
2 wins from those 5 games? Probable but nothing is certain in football. A win today would be excellent.
georgio(Quote)
Quite nervous about todays game. A very big test for the lads. We need to come out fast and get the first goal. Lots of attacking talent in this Arsenal side. Liverpool are getting gifted points from VAR and corrupt officials and are getting close. I’m going for a difficult 3-2 win for us but this one could go either way. I think Arsenal are feeling more pressure now though, so let’s see.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Isak and Wilson start together for the first time. Maxi is back on the bench. Joelinton in midfield for Longstaff. 🤞🤞🤞
Gilly Toon(Quote)
This could be very clever from Howe playing Wilson & Isak.
Isak will most likely play that left flank which will stop White pushing forward as much – BUT it’s taken the attention off the right flank and I would attack that channel just as much.
Zinchenko likes to move into midfield from LB which could leave a lot of space down that side – Murph is quick and can play early balls into the box – for – Wilson & Isak waiting as our best finishers.
As long as our boys win that midfield battle then I feel confident today – but they have already talked about revenge for last seasons battering we give them.
Get at them early & get the crowd up … COME ON BOYS!!!!
Sharpy17(Quote)
hwtl
kimtoon(Quote)
national anthem quite well observed
kimtoon(Quote)
*** off the woodwork, should of scored
kimtoon(Quote)
No way!!! He’s given the penalty and they can’t say he’s made a clear and obvious mistake to over turn that decision man!!!!
How many fucking times did they have to look at that!!!!
IT NOT FUCKING CLEAR AND OBVIOUS MAN!!!!! 😡😡😡😡
Sharpy17(Quote)
Fucking criminal. Clear penalty
Gilly Toon(Quote)
you just know if that was the other end it’s given
kimtoon(Quote)
ffs, unbelievable
kimtoon(Quote)
Arsenal on top now, we’ve lost our composure a bit now. gunners smell blood.
kimtoon(Quote)
How come VAR interfere on our penalty call but didn’t feel the need to send the ref to the monitor yesterday when Bmth had a nailed on pen against Chelsea.
My understanding is VAR only get involved in clear & obvious mistakes – that handball call was not a clear or obvious mistake.
He gave the penalty 😡😡
Sharpy17(Quote)
If VAR think the ball came off the thigh to hit the arm then it clearly is not a penalty.
PremAndUp(Quote)
Prem – thinking and knowing are 2 different things though. How many times did they have to look at it – the more they look the less clear & obvious it can be.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Frustrating Willock keep running the ball out trying to beat the player on the outside too – keeps giving them the ball back.
Look to pass and go lad
Sharpy17(Quote)
Our midfield 3 have been pretty disappointing today imo.
They’ve made mistakes but have been outplayed this first half too.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Fuming
Gilly Toon(Quote)
We need to sort ourselves out. Only 1 goal in it. Even against 12 men we need to go for it.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Why is there always an immediate call that the officials are corrupt.Does the club and supporters no good at all.All clubs get bad decisions.I now live in the south of England and when I am in our local the opinion is that Newcastle supporters never stop whining as if they are the only ones that comes across corrupt officials.
StanHardy(Quote)
FFS what a save, we should of scored
kimtoon(Quote)
Bruno trying to be too clever on the ball & keeps getting caught out.
Big difference is they are passing and moving better than us, which means they keep possession better than us.
We’ve got Wilson & Isak up there but aren’t getting it up to them quick enough.
Sharpy17(Quote)
And when we do get through we either hit wood miss or Ramsdale
kimtoon(Quote)
Cant believe we are not back in this game, we’ve had enough chances
kimtoon(Quote)
Arsenal getting everything off the ref mind, lots of mindgames
kimtoon(Quote)
Stan – I’ll stop complaining so the southerns think better of me then 🙄😂
Sharpy17(Quote)
such a soft shot there from Bruno
kimtoon(Quote)
Not bothered by complaining but use of the word corrupt all the time.I go back far enough to have seen the Robledo brothers ,Milburn,Mitchell etc and do not recall all this abuse ,but no doubt you just consider me an old fart who knows nothing
StanHardy(Quote)
ef off man that’s a effin joke
kimtoon(Quote)
Not seen anyone on here use that word mind 🤷🏼♂️
Sharpy17(Quote)
just not our day
kimtoon(Quote)
Been really scrappy today.
We’ve bought into their game plan & silliness today & not dictated how the game went – they have.
We’ve also not put away our chances – what has been the story of a large part of our season
Sharpy17(Quote)
There was earlier but seems to have been deleted.I know who it was but then No doubt you consider me a senile old fart.Will the person who used it have the guts to own up?
StanHardy(Quote)
The FA are corrupt. I said it. I’ll say it again! You just need to look at the results and decisions that LiVARpool have had recently. So Stan, I’ve 2 words for you. The second is off …
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Whilst I appreciate you saying you said it at least proving I am not a liar I doubt if every official falls into this area. I also appreciate your your **** off. No doubt also proves I am just an silly ignorant old fart.
StanHardy(Quote)
I’ll give Arsenal credit, they came to a tough SJP and dictated play today. The better team won.
I don’t think we were nearly good enough. Sloppy, predictable & wasteful.
I don’t think he got the line up wrong, but I think he got the pattern of play wrong & our midfield was very poor today.
I don’t care about what anyone has to say. VAR is there to correct clear & obvious errors ONLY.
The ref gave the penalty & it wasn’t a clear & obvious mistake.
Had he allowed play to continue & not given it – VAR reviewed it & didn’t give it then so be it – it wasn’t a clear & obvious decision. But the fact the ref blew & pointed to the spot means he thought it was.
They looked at it numerous times before sending him to the scene for him to look at it a few times too – so not clear & obvious.
I know I’m repeating myself but I think people have missed the point of VAR.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Stan – fair play, I wasn’t calling you a liar buddy, I genuinely didn’t see that comment
Sharpy17(Quote)
No problem Sharpy
StanHardy(Quote)
Seems like Troy Stavers is back!
Agree with what you say Sharpy. Our midfield was missing today. Anyway, we bounce back against Leeds and all good. Best actor Oscar needs to go to Arsenal. A few in contention.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
No Troy Stavers is not back.I do not have an uncle who was a wrestler but I do have an opinion which it appears gets me insulted.Makes one not want to post again
StanHardy(Quote)
I think having both sides of an argument is valis Stan.
I think there has always been a big six bias, but also a home team bias. Do I think money changes hands, Not at all.
I agree with sharpy the phrase clear and obvious has morphed into if we find an error no matter how long it takes. But if the error is there then accuracy is what is now being deemed important.
Would I prefer a 20 second time limit, of course, but that’s not where were at
PremAndUp(Quote)