Newcastle vs Arsenal Predicted Lineups, Preview, Odds & Prediction

Newcastle have arguably been Arsenal’s bogey team over the past couple of seasons. The Magpies got the better of the Gunners three times last season, twice in the EFL Cup on the way to their first trophy in 70 years, and once in the league; with Arsenal securing a 1-0 win at the Emirates in other league game. This is a game between two of the most industrious, physical, athletic teams in the league. Newcastle have had a somewhat disappointing start to the season, with 1 win, 3 draws and a loss to Liverpool, however they are undefeated in their last 3 games with 3 clean sheets and are looking to truly kick start their season with a win over a team they have confidence in going up against. Arsenal have also had a disappointing beginning to a season in which they must win the league with 3 wins against lesser teams, a loss to title rivals Liverpool and a draw against Manchester City last weekend in a game where they trailed for the majority. This one will be a real battle, old school Barclays at times, and both teams will be desperate for a win to keep the hopes they had at the beginning of this season truly alive – can’t wait for this one!

• Can Arsenal get their title charge back on track or will they fall further behind Liverpool?
• Can Newcastle beat Arsenal for the 4th time in the last 5 games?
• Will Arteta listen to Arsenal fans and pick a more attacking starting XI?

Find out all of that and much more in our preview of Newcastle vs Arsenal. We have a match preview, predicted lineups, team and injury news, live odds, our score prediction and more for this GW6 matchup.

Match Details:

Fixture: Newcastle vs Arsenal

Stadium: St. James Park

Date: Sunday 28th September

Kick-off: 4:30pm BST

Premier League Head-to-Head Record:

This has been a game with some bite and controversy in recent years. Supposed pushes in the back on goals and Newcastle hurting Arsenal in close title fights and knocking them out of domestic cups has dominated the narrative coming in to this GW6 matchup despite Arsenal having a better record in the last 5 in the league. Each team won 1-0 at home last season, and each team won at home in the 23/24 season; Arsenal winning 4-1 and Newcastle winning 1-0 with the famous Gordon ‘push’ on Gabriel goal. Arsenal have a won 3 and lost 2 of the last 5, but have lost 4 of their last 5 games in all comps at St. James Park.

Newcastle Arsenal Last 5 Premier League Results

18/05/25 - Arsenal 1-0 Newcastle

02/11/24 - Newcastle 1-0 Arsenal

24/02/24 - Arsenal 4-1 Newcastle

04/11/23 - Newcastle 1-0 Arsenal

07/05/23 - Newcastle 0-2 Arsenal

Newcastle Overview and Form:

Newcastle have had an up and down beginning to their campaign. They have won 1 game against Wolves, lost to Liverpool and then played out 3 goalless draws vs Leeds, Aston Villa and Bournemouth, all away from home which is good news for the Magpies. They currently sit 13th but a couple of wins will shoot them right up into the European spots, which is where they want to be. The goal for Newcastle will surely be to win another domestic cup and finish in the Champions League places for the third season out of the last four.

While they have not been racking up wins, they have proven to be one of, if not the best defensive team in the league so far this season, keeping clean sheets in 4 out of their 5 league games, only conceding to Liverpool. They have conceded the lowest xG total in the league so far, conceding nearly a full 1 xG less than 2nd placed Arsenal in that category, and that is with Trippier starting over Lewis Hall who proved to be one of the best left-backs in the country last season, and Joelinton missing a couple of games. Their defence will prove incredibly tricky to break down for an Arsenal side lacking chance creation from open play at times. It will be the foundation of getting a result against Arsenal and for a successful season for Newcastle.

From an attacking standpoint, bedding in their new big money striker Nick Woltemade, while Gordon was suspended and Wissa is injured, has meant the Newcastle attack has not been particularly formidable so far this season, scoring only 3 goals in 5 games. However, Gordon is now back from his 3 match suspension and will start against Arsenal – a team he has caused issues for before. New signing Elanga has yet to have his crowning moment but certainly could this weekend. With the overall attacking depth and talent Newcastle have, with goals being chipped in from Tonali and Guimaraes, as well as chance creation from two top full-backs in Hall and Livramento, Newcastle’s attack should start to click with more game time together and the goals will come.

Newcastle will look to give nothing away cheaply against Arsenal and to prove they will be just as hard to play through and break down as Arsenal are. Howe will want his midfield and forwards to press and battle physically, and hope to start some counter attack and transition opportunities to unleash their forward line on Arsenal’s defence when they’re more vulnerable and less protected by Rice and Zubimendi. He’ll also hope that they can establish some control of the game at times as they have the talent to do so, and if they can nick the first goal that swings things massively in Newcastle’s favour at home.

Arsenal Overview and Form:

Arsenal have also had a inconsistent start to their season. They have beaten the teams they should have beaten in Leeds, Forest and Man United, and done it convincingly in 2 of those 3 games. However in the games against the top 6 that Arteta has such a famous record in, they lost to Liverpool while barely threatening Liverpool’s goal, and trailed against Man City until 93rd minute when Martinelli equalised. They now stand 5 points behind defending champions Liverpool and things do not get easier travelling to St James Park this weekend.

From an attacking standpoint, Arsenal do look improved to some extent because you can see that Madueke, Gyokeres and Eze have added some skill sets and traits that Arsenal previously lacked – but Madueke and Gyokeres in particular are far from flawless players and Gyokeres has struggled against the better teams. Arsenal’s chance creation from open play, or lack thereof, which was a big reason for their poor season last season, has continued in to this season. They are yet to create more than 1 xG from open play in any game this season.They are still too reliant on set pieces and Arteta’s defensive orientated team selections have been coming under scrutiny.

Defensively Arsenal are as dominant as they have been over the past 18 months to 2 years. They are 2nd in xG conceded behind only their opponents this weekend Newcastle. They have kept 3 clean sheets out of 5, only conceding 1 each to Liverpool and City. They are so physical and have their out of possession structure and principles drilled down to a T – they are undoubtedly one of the best defensive teams in the world. The question is can Arteta strike the balance between defensive solidity and being an elite attacking threat – he has failed to do so over the past season and 5 games.

Arsenal will look to compete physically with Newcastle and come out on top, minimising the ways Newcastle can get on top. Arteta will look to have them control possession and tempo early and take the sting out of the crowd and the game, and to limit Newcastle’s transition opportunities. If they can do that, he believes as he has for years now that territorial dominance and controlling the game will eventually lead to enough chance creation to score and defend a lead, despite that method not proving fruitful last season or this season. If Arsenal can get ahead, they certainly can see out the lead against a Newcastle team struggling for goals so far. However, if they do concede, the pressure will mount and Arsenal will find it very tough to leave St. James Park with all 3 points.

Match Betting Odds:

Newcastle: 11/5

Draw: 5/2

Arsenal: 23/20 (Great value)

Both Teams to Score Odds: 

Yes: 4/5

No: 19/20

Player to Score Odds:

Gyokeres: 13/10

Woltemade: 11/4

Betrino is currently offering over 10% better value on Arsenal to win compared with the average market line at most major sports books!

 

Lineups will be updated throughout the week in live time as and when injury and lineup news is announced.

To head back to our main predicted lineups hub, click here.

Newcastle Predicted Lineup:

Newcastle Predicted Lineup GW6

GK - Pope

RB - Trippier

CB - Botman

CB - Burn

LB - Livramento

CM - Guimaraes

CM - Tonali

CM - Joelinton

RW - Murphy

LW - Gordon

ST - Woltemade

Newcastle Team News:

Howe revealed, speaking to the media on Friday, that “We have a couple of players to check today. No major injuries from the game. Jacob [Murphy] is doing okay, it is an issue we are managing. He is fit and available, but some days he has been sore, so we are just trying to manage his load”. Murphy should start, but it is possible Howe does not want to risk him and opts for Elanga who is a good player in his own right.

Speaking about Gordon’s return from suspension, Howe said “It is a big boost for us to have him back fully. He can really focus on the few games we have ahead of the next international break. I thought he was excellent against Bradford. He is a player that rises to the occasion, and we are going to need everyone to do that on Sunday”. It is clear how excited Howe is to have Gordon back, and it is also very clear he will start against Arsenal this Sunday.

Schar missed last weekend’s draw against Bournemouth due to the head injury and likely concussion he picked up against Barcelona in the Champions League last Thursday. The defender posted on his social media that he would miss the next few games as he recovers, so he is likely out for Arsenal on Sunday.

Burn and Murphy were left out of the EFL Cup squad for Bradford City entirely but this was just for rest purposes. Hall started at left-back while Trippier and Livramento were rested, so that likely indicates they are the full-back pairing that will start on Sunday. Gordon started and got more minutes in his legs as he returns from his suspension and should start Sunday. Botman did start and play 89 minutes before being subbed off – if he starts against Arsenal that will be 3 games started in 8 days for Botman, which seems like a lot given his recent injury struggles. So Thiaw could start on Sunday, but Botman is more of the profile of CB you would want going up against Arsenal.

Speaking about Yoanne Wissa to the media on Friday, Eddie Howe informed us that “Of course everyone wanted Yoane to be fit. There’s nothing personally I would have done different – we did everything we did as a football club to try and look after Yoane. But it’s like with any footballer – when they go away on international duty, you’re not in control of the minutes they play, and unfortunately he got injured… We think he’ll be out until the next international break. He’s got a race on to be fit for that Brighton game. Hopefully he can make it, and then of course he’ll be such an important player for us”.

Not good news on new signing Wissa, who we probably don’t need to think about from an FPL perspective until after the next international break. What that does mean is Woltemade should start every league game between now and the international break.

Speaking on Friday about Ramsey’s recovery from injury, Howe stated “His recovery is going well; he is on the grass working hard and building his fitness back up. I think it will be after the international break that we see him, anything before that, then he will be ahead of schedule”.

Woltemade started against Bournemouth and will start once again. Guimaraes and Joelinton did not in GW5 against Bournemouth due to rotation / rest needs but will surely start against Arsenal. Miley, Willock and possibly another youngster will start against Bradford in midweek.

Newcastle Players to Watch:

Lewis-Hall: Started against Bradford, likely means Trippier and Livramento start against Arsenal.

Murphy: Elanga started against Bradford City while Murphy was rested, which would mean Murphy likely starts on Sunday.

Botman: Should start but there is a chance 3 starts in 8 days is too many for the CB.

Gordon: Returns from his 3 match suspension. Started against Bradford and will also start Sunday.

Trippier: Will start after being rested against Bradford City.

Elanga: Likely on the bench for Arsenal.

Ramsey: Out until after next international break (ankle).

Wissa: Out until after the next international break.

Arsenal Predicted Lineup:

Arsenal Predicted Lineup GW6

GK - Raya

RB - Timber

CB - Saliba

CB - Gabriel

LB - Calafiori

CM - Merino

CM - Zubimendi

CM - Rice

RW - Saka

LW - Eze

ST - Gyokeres

Arsenal Team News:

Arteta, speaking on Friday, revealed “Martin Odegaard will be training with us for the next two days so hopefully he will be available for the game”. I don’t think Arteta will throw Odegaard back in vs arguably the most physical and intense midfield in the league, given the injury was a shoulder injury.

Speaking about Saka’s fitness on Friday, Arteta revealed “Nothing to report there. He played the game we anticipated [in the EFL Cup]. He played well and is training for the next two days”, so there is no reason to believe Saka will not start Sunday – he will do just that.

Saka, Saliba, Martinelli, Merino and Eze were the true, potential starters for Newcastle who Arteta chose to start against Port Vale. Saka played 63 minutes, Saliba played the full 90. Everyone made it through the game without any setbacks. All 5 will be available for Sunday.

Saliba returned to the matchday squad against Bilbao last Tuesday but was an unused substitute, and subsequently started against Manchester City on Sunday and had a tough time against Haaland. He likely won’t feature at all in Arsenal’s EFL Cup game against Port Vale on Wednesday and then will be ready to start against Newcastle on Sunday.

Noni Madueke has reportedly picked up a knee injury that will keep him sidelined for a short while. There were reports on X that he had torn his ACL but those were unfounded, and it is a less serious injury. Speaking on Friday, Arteta only said “No update [on Noni Madueke] yet”.

Saka returned off the bench as a half-time substitute against Manchester City last Sunday. He made it through the game without any trouble, and will start against Newcastle given he is the team’s best player as well as the fact Madueke is now injured.

Eze did not start the last game but showed his effect and his skills immediately, with Arsenal putting the pressure on City as soon as he and Saka came on. Arsenal had City on the ropes for the first 20 minutes of the second half. Then Eze made the game defining pass, that possibly only he and Zubimendi in this Arsenal squad can play, for Martinelli’s equaliser.

Eze could start on the left-wing so that Arteta can persist with the very defensive minded midfield 3 of Rice, Zubimendi and Merino. Or Martinelli in his form starts on the left, and Eze plays in some kind of central 10 role ahead of Rice and Zubimendi. It seems unlikely Arteta will opt for that risk against this Newcastle team he struggled against last season though.

We have heard little news about Havertz potential return date. Hincapie also has reportedly picked up a knock that kept him out of the Man City game. We await further information on that injury.

Arsenal Players to Watch:

Saliba: Returned against City, also started against Port Vale. will start against Newcastle.

Saka: Came off the bench at half-time against Man City. Started against Port Vale. Will start against Newcastle.

Madueke: Out with knee injury.

Odegaard: Should be available, but I do not think he starts.

Eze: Will start at either left-wing or as the 10 with Odegaard injured. Set up Martinelli’s goal – has to start.

White: Back in the squad against Man City, could be fit enough to start on Sunday but I think Timber will start with Gordon back.

Hincapie: Picked up a knock of some kind. Was not in the squad against City. Could miss out on Sunday.

Havertz: Still no timeline on return.

Newcastle vs Arsenal Preview & Predicted Score:

Both teams should set up in their usual systems, a 4-3-3 for both. I do not expect a shift to a 3-4-3 for Newcastle as they have occasionally done under Howe including last weekend against Bournemouth (mostly due to rotation needs ahead of their Champions League game against Barcelona).

Whoever gets the first goal in this game, between two physical, dominant out of possession and defensive teams, will prove massive. Newcastle will likely try to really break up the game and be physical and first to duels and loose balls to unsettle Arsenal, allow them no rhythm and get the St. James Park crowd going. That should allow them to have opportunities to hurt Arsenal in transition, as Man City showed last weekend is very capable. It should also allow them to have moments where they have Arsenal penned back.

Arsenal will look to take the sting out of the game and the SJP crowd by controlling possession and tempo and establishing some level of territorial dominance, as Arsenal like to do. Arteta might think without Isak now, Arsenal’s back-4 can handle Woltemade, Gordon and Murphy, and that might allow him to bring Eze in to midfield alongside Rice and Zubimendi, which would theoretically give Arsenal better chance creation and a better goal threat from midfield, in the hopes of going ahead in this game rather than going behind as they did against Liverpool and City. Arsenal do not want to be chasing the game – Arteta’s Arsenal have not won a Premier League game they have trailed in in their last 14 attempts to do so.

In the end, I see a low scoring, physical, feisty battle where both teams are able to create a few good chances and each team takes one of them. These two teams do not like each other and both will be desperate for a win, and with how evenly matched they generally have been over recent games, I think that will show true on Sunday. I got my Arsenal vs Man City prediction of 1-1 last week correct, so why not go for the same again?!

Score Prediction: Newcastle 1-1 Arsenal