Expect a win for the Gunners and plenty of corners when Arsenal visit St James’ Park on Saturday.
Mikel Arteta blew his top on his last trip to St James’ Park but he and his Arsenal players need to keep their cool if they are to get back on the winning trail after a difficult couple of weekends.
Arteta launched into a post-match tirade against the officials following the 1-0 loss at Newcastle 12 months ago, a match decided by Anthony Gordon’s controversial winner which tested VAR’s skills to the absolute limit.
Arsenal go back to Tyneside not so much seeking retribution for their first loss of last season, but more reigniting their 2024/25 Premier League title bid following dropped points against Bournemouth and Liverpool.
They won’t get any sympathy from the Toon, however, who are in need of their own pick-me-up following a five-match league winless run.
Best bets
Arsenal win
1/1
Declan Rice To Have 1+ Shots on Target
7/5
Over 11.5 Corners
5/4
Arteta’s aces can get back to winning ways
Arsenal have lost precious ground in the Premier League title race following a 2-0 defeat at Bournemouth and 2-2 draw against Liverpool, but they haven’t become a bad side overnight.
There were mitigating circumstances behind both those results which have left Arteta’s men four points behind Arne Slot’s Reds and a further point adrift of Manchester City.
And on the back of those setbacks plus a few injuries, a trip to Newcastle might not seem like the ideal fixture next up. After all, it was at St James’ Park 12 months ago where the Gunners lost for the first time, what turned out to be a critical loss in such a tight title fight.
The fact that Gordon’s winner was so controversial didn’t lift Arteta’s mood, but the Spaniard can get revenge of sorts by leading his league contenders to victory.
Yes, Arsenal have taken one point from a possible six but they remain a cut above Newcastle, who are without a league win in five and sit a lowly 12th in the division.
Eddie Howe sent out a strong side to beat Chelsea in the EFL Cup on Wednesday night, the same night a weakened Arsenal were winning 3-0 at Preston in the same competition.
That was important for Arteta who can welcome back William Saliba from a ban to add stability to a backline which can keep Newcastle out and help land 10/11 match odds.
Rice’s shooting skills can earn a profit
Arsenal have had eight different goalscorers in the league already but Declan Rice is not among them.
The England midfielder enjoyed a prolific first season at the Emirates scoring seven goals in the top-flight as he benefited from a more advanced role than he had at West Ham.
This season he has netted twice for England and once in the EFL Cup against Bolton, and should break his duck soon.
He is averaging exactly a shot per game so the 11/10 he manages at least one on target on Saturday is fair enough.
Corner a payday by going high
Both these sides are piling up corners and in Newcastle’s case are conceding them in big numbers as well.
Newcastle are averaging 6.00 corners per game and conceding 6.56 while the Gunners are collecting 6.1 per game.
The game will get stretched, especially if there is an early goal, and don’t be surprised to see over 11.5 corners racked up at 5/4.
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