Premier League news: Arsenal vs Newcastle Utd – Five key battles and score prediction

Arsenal welcome red-hot Newcastle United to the Emirates this week for a key Premier League clash in the ongoing race for Champions League qualification.

Both teams need a win to guarantee a place in next season’s Champions League, while victory for the Magpies would see them leapfrog the Gunners into second place.

These two sides have already met three times this season, once in the league and twice in the Carabao Cup, with Eddie Howe’s men having prevailed on all three occasions.

Sports News Blitz writer Matt McKenry takes a look at five key battles which could prove important in Sunday’s game and offers a score prediction.

Alexander Isak vs William Saliba

Despite a slight dip in form in recent weeks, Isak is still a player to fear, one which every defender has their work cut out in dealing with.

The tall and agile forward excels in taking on players, often dropping deep to receive the ball before turning to run at the defence.

He has scored twice against the Gunners this season, so they will understand his threat all too well and know what is required to stop him.

On the other hand, Saliba’s rise to being one of Europe’s best defenders cannot be overstated, the 6 ft 3 in centre-half having been crucial to Arsenal ever since his return from a loan spell at Marseille.

This term, the towering defender has kept 12 clean sheets and conceded only 27 goals while winning 151 duels and 61 aerial duels thanks to his size and strength.

This battle will no doubt be one of the key fights on the day as two elite players go head-to-head knowing that even a single mistake can cost their team a chance at victory.

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Myles Lewis-Skelly vs Harvey Barnes/Jacob Murphy

A recent breakout star for Arsenal, Lewis-Skelly has been seriously impressive since being handed his debut for Mikel Arteta’s side earlier this season.

The Hale End graduate has made 21 appearances so far, with many Arsenal fans excited to see what the future holds for the young full-back.

Energetic and diverse, Lewis-Skelly has thrived on joining in on attacks, providing both overlaps and underlaps.

His rather unorthodox style tends to cause problems for opposition defenders and his defensive work is nothing to scoff at either.

He has won 81 duels this season and has a tackle success rate of 64% – solid numbers for a debut season.

With Anthony Gordon’s return now a reality after he started against Chelsea, it will be interesting to see who Howe picks for the right-hand side between Barnes and Murphy.

Murphy has exceeded all expectations this season, registering eight goals and 12 assists in the league for his best campaign to date.

Barnes, in contrast, has largely played second fiddle to Gordon.

However, after injuries and suspension provided Barnes with a chance, he grabbed it with both hands to rack up nine goals plus four assists and give Howe a selection headache.

Regardless, whoever takes to the pitch this weekend, it will be an intriguing battle up against Lewis-Skelly, who will be looking to nullify Newcastle’s chances wherever they come from.

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Tino Livramento vs Bukayo Saka

Arsenal’s talisman Saka will be their main goal threat on Sunday in the absence of the suspended Mikel Merino and recovering Kai Havertz, who has returned to training but whose fitness levels will most likely confine him to the bench.

Livramento, for his part, has excelled while playing as a makeshift left-back to cover for the injured Lewis Hall, so much so that he is now reportedly fielding interest from the likes of Manchester City.

Saka’s ability to carry the ball and cut in onto his favoured left foot in order to get shots away will be a key threat which Livramento will need to stifle.

At the same time, the latter must look to carry the ball on the overlap for Newcastle and create a potential overload on the wings.

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Sandro Tonali vs Declan Rice

After being pictured in open training, it is clear that Rice will be involved in some capacity this weekend.

Arsenal’s most important player, the midfielder has reinvented himself this season, transitioning from a deep-lying midfielder to a devastating box-to-box dynamo.

His drive through the middle of the park combined with his strength and frame make him a big challenge for any team in the world.

Indeed, he is one of very few players who I feel justify their price tag – in Rice’s case, £105 million – and Newcastle will have their work cut out for them should he appear this weekend.

Tonali, meanwhile, is a midfield powerhouse in his own right.

Despite not having the same height and frame as Rice, he offers great pace to carry the ball upfield and has complimented teammate Bruno Guimarães very well all season long.

In addition to having an eye for a pass, Tonali is a great play-making midfielder who can dictate play in the centre of the park and keep the flow of the game in Newcastle’s hands.

He is definitely one that Arsenal will look to limit on the ball.

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Eddie Howe vs Mikel Arteta

Having both had fine seasons, Howe and Arteta will be confident of besting one another come Sunday.

Howe has the edge going into this game, with three wins over his adversary in the bag this season, but the Englishman will understand that his team needs to be at their best at the Emirates.

Arteta will see this match as not only about league position but also pride, with his players aware that there is no room for error in this fixture.

It is all set to be a battle of minds, then, and it will be interesting to see what each manager brings to the table this weekend.

Summary

I foresee a tough game on Sunday.

However, I predict that Newcastle will edge out Arsenal in a scrappy and physical game thanks to their greater striking threat.

Score prediction: Arsenal 1-2 Newcastle United

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