The Premier League dishes up a tasty top-three battle on Tuesday night, with table-topping Arsenal hosting Champions League-chasing Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium.
Newcastle sit third in the table - four points inside the top four - having avoided defeat in each of their previous 12 league outings.
Sliding into a new week 😎 pic.twitter.com/wplxyje639— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 2, 2023
Sliding into a new week 😎 pic.twitter.com/wplxyje639
Meanwhile, Arsenal find themselves atop the standings - seven points clear of Manchester City and nine points ahead of Newcastle. Can they extend their lead on Tuesday?
The Gunners lost just one of their 14 Premier League games before the World Cup break, picking up 12 wins and one draw while cementing their status as title challengers.
Following post-Christmas victories over West Ham (3-1) and Brighton (4-2), it’s safe to say that Mikel Arteta’s side have picked up where they left off before the break.
Arsenal have now won 14 of their 16 league games this term, suffering a solitary defeat along the way. They are also the only team to have scored in each of their Premier League games in 2022-23.
Having won nine of their past ten league outings - scoring over 2.5 goals on six occasions - the Gunners will be confident of getting the better of Newcastle.
It is worth noting, however, that Newcastle have also lost just once in the Premier League this season. That said, they have recorded nine wins and seven draws in the process.
The Magpies beat Leicester 3-0 on Boxing Day before registering a goalless draw with Leeds on New Year’s Eve, meaning they head into Tuesday’s clash on a 12-game unbeaten streak in the league.
Newcastle have built their campaign on a hugely impressive defensive effort. Having conceded a measly 11 goals in 17 games this season, they boast the best defensive record in the division.
Although Eddie Howe’s side have reached half time in each of their last 15 encounters without losing, they could struggle to keep Arsenal at bay on Tuesday.
Head-to-head: Newcastle beat Arsenal 2-0 back in May 2022. However, that was the Magpies’ first victory over the Gunners in nine attempts.
Arsenal have won 17 of their last 20 meetings with Newcastle across all competitions, scoring over 1.5 goals on 11 occasions during that period.
Team news: Gabriel Jesus remains sidelined due to injury, meaning Eddie Nketiah will continue to deputize in Arsenal’s attack. Emile Smith Rowe and Reiss Nelson are also doubts for Tuesday.
As for Newcastle, Jonjo Shelvey, Matt Target, Emil Krafth, Paul Dummet and Alexander Isak are on the treatment table. On a brighter note, Callum Wilson could return to the starting XI.
It is no secret that Newcastle have been one of the strongest teams in the Premier League this season. Still, high-flying Arsenal are expected to pick up yet another win on home soil.
With that in mind, Forebet predicts that Arsenal will score over 2.5 goals on their way to dispatching Newcastle.