Mikel Arteta’s team approaches the match against Newcastle after a challenging trip to Portugal. In the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 match against Porto, the Gunners suffered a minimal 0-1 defeat, conceding the only goal in the fourth minute of stoppage time. Such defeats always hit the confidence and mentality of players, especially a team that had gained excellent momentum in the league before this. Over the weekend, Arsenal dominated Burnley away, scoring five unanswered goals. This victory marked the fifth consecutive win for Arteta’s side in the Premier League. Currently, the Gunners hold the third position in the league table, trailing Liverpool by five points but with a game in hand against Newcastle.
Last season, along with Arsenal, Newcastle was the standout performer in the Premier League. This pair returned to the Champions League after a long time, but while Arsenal won their group, Newcastle finished at the bottom. The main reason for the Magpies’ struggles lies in the short bench, as the team faced a rapid increase in injuries when the workload intensified. Only in February, when Newcastle was eliminated from all competitions except the FA Cup, did Eddie Howe’s team start showing stability in results. Over the weekend, the black-and-whites managed to secure a draw in the home game against Bournemouth in the final minutes. This extended their unbeaten run in the Premier League to four matches, including two wins in this period. Currently, the Magpies sit in the eighth position in the league table, but dreaming of replicating last year’s result seems unlikely, with Newcastle trailing the top four by 12 points. More sure straight win for today can be obtained from the link provided.
