Arsenal vs Newcastle United: Preview, Team News, Time and Score Prediction

Arsenal will have the chance to reclaim the top spot in the Premier League when they host Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday evening, April 24, at 7:30 PM East African Time.

The Gunners, who have slipped to second place, are looking to avoid a third consecutive league defeat for the first time in four years.

Meanwhile, Newcastle are in a slump of their own, having suffered a demoralising loss at home last weekend and facing a tough battle to turn their season around.

Arsenal's title hopes took a hit on Wednesday as Manchester City secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Burnley, a result that saw the Citizens leapfrog them in the table on goals scored.

While City are occupied with FA Cup duties this weekend, the Gunners need only a single point against Newcastle to return to the summit.

However, recent form suggests that might be a challenge for Mikel Arteta's side. Their 2-1 loss to Manchester City last weekend marked their fourth straight domestic defeat, a run not seen since Arsene Wenger's final season in 2017-18. As the pressure mounts, accusations of the team "bottling" their title challenge have grown louder.

Despite the recent string of losses, Arsenal's performance at the Etihad was far from a disaster. The individual brilliance within Pep Guardiola's squad ultimately made the difference.

Yet, with a crucial Champions League semi-final against Atletico Madrid on the horizon, the team has appeared fatigued.

The month of April has historically been difficult for the Gunners under Arteta, with their points-per-game average dropping to a concerning 1.48.

Newcastle United, on the other hand, are dealing with their own set of problems. Tipped as future title contenders following their Saudi-backed takeover in late 2021, the Magpies have hit a new low. They have lost three consecutive Premier League matches and four in a row across all competitions.

The atmosphere at St James' Park turned sour after a 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth, leaving Eddie Howe's team in 14th place, just 11 points clear of the relegation zone with a limited number of games remaining.

Since January 25, no Premier League team has lost more matches than Newcastle, who have suffered eight defeats in their last 11 league outings. Reports suggest Howe is set for a critical meeting with the club's ownership next week.

A victory at the Emirates could provide some much-needed relief for Howe, but history is not on their side. The Magpies have failed to win in their last 13 league visits to Arsenal.

The Gunners will be aiming to complete a league double over Newcastle for the first time since the 2020-21 season, following a dramatic late win in their previous encounter in September.

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard returned to the lineup against Manchester City after recovering from a knee issue.

However, Bukayo Saka remains a significant doubt due to a calf injury that kept him out of the last match. Riccardo Calafiori and Mikel Merino are also sidelined, though Jurrien Timber is reportedly close to a return, which would offer a solution to Arteta's recent right-back struggles.

Newcastle are also contending with injuries in their backline. Tino Livramento sustained a groin problem against Bournemouth that will rule him out of Saturday's game and could end his season.

Winger Anthony Gordon, who has been linked with a move to Arsenal, is also expected to miss the trip with a groin issue.

The Magpies will be without Emil Krafth (knee) and Fabian Schar (ankle), while Joelinton is suspended. On a positive note, key midfielder Bruno Guimaraes is expected to return to the starting eleven after recovering from his own injury.

Arsenal: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Odegaard, Zubimendi, Rice; Madueke, Havertz, Eze

Newcastle United: Ramsdale; Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Hall; Guimaraes, Tonali, Miley; Murphy, Osula, Barnes

Despite their recent struggles, Newcastle United have consistently found the back of the net. The Magpies have scored in 18 consecutive matches across all competitions and in each of their last 10 away games, a testament to their attacking prowess.

Given this form, it's unlikely that an increasingly vulnerable Arsenal defence will keep a clean sheet. However, Newcastle's own defensive frailties have been a significant issue.

This could provide the perfect opportunity for the Gunners to halt their recent slide, secure a crucial victory, and potentially reclaim the top spot in the league standings.