Comments and predictions for Arsenal vs Newcastle: Gunners stall, Magpies stay strong

Latest Arsenal vs Newcastle squad information

Mikel Merino will miss the final home game of the season after being sent off twice against Liverpool. He joins Jorginho (chest), Gabriel Jesus (knee), Gabriel Magalhaes (hamstring) and Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee).

There was some positive news for Arsenal, however, with three players with hamstring injuries – Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard – all taking part in open training on Wednesday. Arteta has not ruled them out, although he will be cautious with his selection decisions.

Coach Arteta is likely to use backup options. Oleksandr Zinchenko can play in the “left 8” position, while the left wing position can be taken by Ethan Nwaneri, Raheem Sterling or Kieran Tierney.

For Newcastle, centre-back Sven Botman left the pitch in the 55th minute of the match against Chelsea after a knee injury. Coach Howe admitted that his ability to play this weekend is still uncertain.

Joe Willock (thigh) is also racing against time to recover, while Kieran Trippier (calf), Matt Targett (thigh), Joelinton (knee) and Lewis Hall (foot) remain definite absentees.

Jamaal Lascelles – who has been named in the Premier League squad for the first time this season following a cruciate ligament injury – is a direct replacement for Botman, but Emil Krafth may be the preferred option at centre-back.

Latest Arsenal vs Newcastle predicted lineup

Arsenal:
Raya; Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Partey, Zinchenko; Saka, Martinelli, Nwaneri

Newcastle United:
Pope; Krafth, Schar, Burn; Murphy, Tonali, Guimaraes, Livramento; Barnes, Gordon; Isak

Latest football commentary Arsenal vs Newcastle

Instead of celebrating their impressive comeback against champions Liverpool at Anfield, manager Mikel Arteta was furious and harshly criticised Arsenal's weak first-half performance - when they allowed Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz to score twice to give Liverpool the lead.

However, true to the nature of the “two-halves” game, Gabriel Martinelli and Mikel Merino – the latter sent off – helped Arsenal get back into the game. A 2-2 draw against the reigning champions, so soon after their shock Champions League exit, was still considered a remarkable achievement.

However, Arteta chose to focus on the negative points, perhaps understandable because Arsenal have not won in their last 5 matches in all competitions - a form that does not match their ambition to win the title next season.

Arsenal have not yet officially qualified for next season's Champions League, but that will almost certainly happen if Aston Villa fail to beat Tottenham on Friday. Now, only a complete collapse could see them drop out of the top five.

However, the Gunners have not finished the season the way they wanted to start it, failing to win their last four home games and are in danger of losing three in a row at the Emirates for the first time since late 2019 – the early days of Arteta’s reign.

Speaking of three consecutive defeats, that's exactly what Arsenal have suffered against Newcastle this season – twice in the League Cup semi-finals and a heavy defeat at St James' Park earlier in the season.

If Newcastle – the reigning League Cup winners – continue to beat Arsenal this weekend, they will qualify for the Champions League and move up to second in the table. Confidence was boosted by a 2-0 win over Chelsea last weekend, with Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes shining in midfield.

Newcastle's attack is in fine form, having scored in 11 consecutive games in all competitions - at the perfect time of year at a crucial stage of the season.

However, the Magpies’ away record is not as impressive, with just two wins in their last six away games in the Premier League. However, they have not lost their last away game of the season since 2017-18.

Newcastle could also make history by beating Arsenal for the fourth time in a single season – something that has never happened before. Arsenal, though, can take some confidence from their unbeaten record in their last 12 home Premier League games against Newcastle.

Latest Arsenal vs Newcastle score prediction

Based on the above football comments, we and the world's leading football sites have given the results of the match.Arsenal vs Newcastleas follows:

• Sportsmole:Arsenal 2-1 Newcastle

• WhoScore:Arsenal 2-1 Newcastle
• Our newspaper predicts:Arsenal 1-1 Newcastle

When and where to watch Arsenal vs Newcastle live?

To watch live the Arsenal vs Newcastle match in the Premier League taking place at 10:30 p.m. on May 18, viewers can watch onK+ Sport,K+PMor online sports channels. Wish you have fun watching football.