Arsenal vs Newcastle tips and predictions: Goal crazy Gunners to continue red-hot form against leaky Magpies

Thomas Ridley22 February 2024

Bukayo Saka in action for Arsenal

The Premier League's entertainers meet on Saturday night, as free scoring Arsenal take on a leaky Newcastle side at the Emirates Stadium (2000 GMT).

If you were to order goals off the footballing menu, then this fixture is the one that you would be served.

Arsenal have been flying in the Premier League since the turn of the year, with Mikel Arteta's men scoring 21 goals in their last five games, which included an impressive win against title rivals Liverpool and the 6-0 hammering of West Ham on their own patch.

This week the Gunners welcome Newcastle to the Emirates, and Eddie Howe's men are currently on one of the most unconvinicing unbeaten runs ever seen.

The Magpies are unbeaten in their last five in all competitions, but in that period we witnessed a frantic 4-4 draw against Luton, a brilliant away performance at Aston Villa and a late equaliser from forgotten man Matt Ritchie against Bournemouth.

In their last six in the league, the Geordies have been involved in some thrillers, with 32 goals being scored across those games.

However, Newcastle's solid defence that conceded just 14 in their first 14 league games this season has dissipated, with the Magpies having conceded 27 in their last 11, an average of 2.45 goals per game.

That will make the in-form Bukayo Saka's eyes light up and he will be licking his lips at the thought of coming up against Toon left-back Dan Burn, who has come under intense scrutiny in recent weeks due to poor performances.

Saka has scored seven in his last six league outings and now has 20 goal contributions for the season, which is just five short of last season's tally.

Newcastle controversially beat Arsenal 1-0 in the reverse fixture in November, but expect a different game here as the Toon have not won at the Emirates since an Andy Carroll header gave Chris Hughton's side a 1-0 win in 2010.

They also haven't scored a single goal at the Emirates since 2014, but with Newcastle in good form in front of goal, finding the back of the net 12 times in their last four, it's now or never if they want to break their North London goalscoring curse.

Arsenal should have too much here for Eddie Howe's troops, but given both teams' recent results, the goals market should provide plenty of value.

Team news

Arsenal are without long-term absentees Jurrien Timber, Thomas Partey and Oleksandr Zinchenko.

Gabriel Jesus and Takehiro Tomiyasu are doubtful and will face late fitness tests.

Former Gunner Joe Willock is set to return to the Newcastle squad alongside star striker Alexander Isak as both have trained with the first team this week.

Howe is still without Nick Pope, Joelinton, Callum Wilson, Matt Targett and Elliot Anderson, who are all ruled out with injury and Sandro Tonali is still serving a suspension for gambling.