Following Arsenal’s 2-1 defeat last weekend to title-race rivals Manchester City, the Premier League crown is now completely up for grabs. Arsenal will be looking to bounce back from that setback against a Newcastle United side that has also been struggling on the pitch.
The Magpies have lost four consecutive matches in all competitions, with each of their last three defeats ending 2-1. Below is a full match preview featuring tactical analysis, predicted lineups, team news, injuries, and an Arsenal vs Newcastle prediction.
Arsenal vs Newcastle Match Details
- Competition: Premier League
- Round: 34
- Date: Saturday, April 25, 2026
- Venue: Emirates Stadium (London)
- Kickoff Time: 5:30pm (BST)
Arsenal Team News
Arsenal lost a crucial match against Manchester City last Sunday by a score of 2-1. The title race has now been blown wide open, with both sides still capable of finishing the season level on points if they win out. The title would then be decided by goal difference.
The availability of Jurriën Timber and Riccardo Calafiori remains uncertain but hopeful, with both players expected to participate in training this week ahead of Arsenal’s clash with Newcastle.
Will Bukayo Saka play vs Newcastle?
Bukayo Saka’s absence remains a major setback, as the return date for Arsenal’s starboy is still unknown. However, reports suggest his recovery is progressing well.
Newcastle United Team News
Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon missed their match against Bournemouth with a hip issue. In the same match, Tino Livramento was substituted off with an apparent hamstring injury.
Following the match, Eddie Howe said on Gordon:
“With Anthony (Gordon), we are unclear. I don’t think it is a long-term injury, but whether he makes next week, we are not sure.”
On Livramento, Howe added:
“For Tino (Livramento), we are not sure. It is a huge blow for him and for us.”
Newcastle did receive a boost last weekend, as club captain Bruno Guimarães returned to action after a two-month spell on the sidelines.
Joelinton will be unavailable for Saturday’s match due to suspension.
Away from the injury news, Anthony Gordon’s apparent departure has been making headlines throughout the week with links to Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester United, and Bayern Munich making headlines.
Arsenal Injuries
Unavailable: Mikel Merino
Questionable: Riccardo Calafiori, Jurriën Timber , Bukayo Saka
Newcastle Injuries
Unavailable: Joelinton (suspension), Emil Krafth, Fabian Schär
Questionable: Anthony Gordon, Tino Livramento
Arsenal vs Newcastle Predicted Lineups
Arsenal Lineup Notes:
Kai Havertz started and scored against Manchester City and could retain his place in the starting XI. However, due to the contrasting skill sets between Havertz and Viktor Gyökeres, Mikel Arteta may prefer Gyökeres’ pace, strength, and ability to run in behind the opposition’s defensive line.
The availability of Riccardo Calafiori and Jurriën Timber will remain uncertain until pre-match evaluations. If they are unavailable, Piero Hincapié and Cristhian Mosquera could once again feature on the flanks.
Newcastle United Lineup Notes:
22-year-old striker William Osula has started up front in each of Newcastle’s last two matches, scoring their only goal in both games. Given his form, it is unlikely Eddie Howe will drop him.
On the wings, with Anthony Gordon’s availability uncertain, Harvey Barnes and Jacob Murphy are likely candidates to start.
Jacob Ramsey or Lewis Miley could replace the suspended Joelinton in midfield, while Bruno Guimarães will be pushing for a return to the starting XI after his recent comeback.
At right-back, Kieran Trippier is expected to start depending on Tino Livramento’s availability. Lewis Miley has also filled in there this season and remains an option.
Between the sticks, Aaron Ramsdale will face his former club.
Arsenal vs Newcastle Match Win Probability
Arsenal: 67%
Draw: 18%
Newcastle United: 15%
To view the win probabilities for every Premier League match, click here!
Arsenal vs Newcastle Match Preview
Arsenal won the reverse fixture earlier this season 2-1.
For Arsenal, the remainder of the campaign is do-or-die. Every match becomes more important than the last, as the Gunners chase their first Premier League title since 2003/04 while attempting to avoid a fourth consecutive runners-up finish.
Both sides enter this match in poor form. Arsenal will also have one eye on their UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg against Atlético Madrid on Wednesday, April 29 in Madrid.
How Arsenal Will Set Up
On paper and out of possession, Arsenal line up in a 4-2-3-1. In possession, that shape shifts—most commonly into a 3-2-5.
Arsenal’s attacking play is highly fluid, with constant positional rotations. Fullbacks may push high, invert into midfield, or remain part of a back three. Declan Rice operates as a No. 8, either holding as a deep-lying playmaker or advancing into attacking areas depending on the situation.
How Newcastle Will Set Up
Newcastle typically line up in a 4-3-3 but adapt depending on the phase of play. Out of possession, they form a narrow and compact 4-5-1, aiming to congest central areas and force opponents wide.
Their wingers drop alongside the midfield trio, allowing space in wide areas with the intention of winning the ball there or forcing aerial deliveries into the box—an area where Newcastle are strong.
In possession, Newcastle play at a high tempo, often transitioning into a 3-3-4 shape, with midfielders and fullbacks joining the attacking line.
Newcastle’s attacking structure relies heavily on rotations to maintain balance. When a central midfielder pushes forward, the fullback on that side may invert to preserve central passing options.
When the fullback advances into wide areas, the winger can invert into the half-spaces.
Where Arsenal Can Find Success
Bait The Press
Arsenal’s build-up has been inconsistent recently. Manchester City exposed this in the EFL Cup final by pressing in a controlled 4-2-4 shape, forcing Arsenal to play through them without overcommitting.
In their recent 2-1 loss, David Raya frequently went long, bypassing the build-up phase to avoid turnovers in dangerous areas.
This approach helped Arsenal gain territory by contesting second balls higher up the pitch.
Newcastle press aggressively with a man-marking approach. However, given Arsenal’s recent struggles, Eddie Howe may opt for a more measured press. Arsenal must bait Newcastle into pressing high to create exploitable space.
Dropping Martín Zubimendi and Declan Rice deeper can pull markers out of position, opening gaps between Newcastle’s lines.
Passing lanes can then be created by disorganizing Newcastle’s press, particularly if they commit numbers forward.
Press Aggressive Overloading Outside Lanes
Newcastle build through wide areas, often progressing the ball via fullbacks or wingers before moving centrally. Sandro Tonali acts as a single pivot while other midfielders push forward.
When Arsenal look to press Newcastle, they should anticipate the wing play and Newcastle’s tendencies and tactics of utilizing their central defenders wide supporting their fullbacks. Arsenal should adopt a man-making scheme in Newcastle’s build-up while triggering their press aggressively when Newcastle play the ball into the wide lanes – squeezing them outside and eliminating central passing lanes.
This pressing structure will give Arsenal good opportunities at winning the ball high up the pitch. Bournemouth pressed Newcastle in a similar fashion, squeezing them into the wide lanes and taking away passing lanes centrally and backward. Bournemouth were able to turn the ball over high up the pitch consistently or force long balls forward where they would win possession, causing issues for Newcastle as they attempted to progress the ball up the pitch.
Force Newcastle to Shift
Newcastle operate with a tight, narrow shape, making themselves difficult to break down centrally. Arsenal need to drag numbers wide, creating overloads against Newcastle’s defending wingers and fullbacks and force shifts from Newcastle’s central midfielders in order to open space up centrally.
Where Newcastle Can Find Success
Pull Arsenal Wide
Newcastle, when in possession, look to operate in the outside lanes of the pitch before moving the ball centrally. This can be effective against Arsenal by forcing gaps between their lines. Newcastle can look to overload their outside lanes with four to five players – winger, fullback, central midfielder, central defender, holding midfielder.
In the tight spaces, Newcastle’s movement from their midfielders, wingers, and fullbacks and their comfortability with these specific rotations (as previously mentioned) could be on display.
Press Zubimendi in Arsenal’s Build-Up
Arsenal have shown vulnerabilities in their build-up phase, as mentioned previously. Specifically, Martín Zubimendi’s form as of late has dipped. His ability to consistently identify and play into open passing lanes has not been at the required level.
At the same time, Arsenal’s overall movement during build-up has not been effective enough to consistently progress through the thirds against organized opposition.
When Zubimendi receives the ball, it will be imperative for Newcastle to mark nearby options—such as Martin Ødegaard—as they attempt to drop into space and provide passing angles. Newcastle should look to trigger an aggressive press when Zubimendi receives possession, shrinking the pitch, using cover shadows to block passing lanes, and converging quickly on the holding midfielder. This can force rushed decisions or poor circulation passes.
Force Madueke to Cross the Ball
This point applies if Noni Madueke starts. Madueke has struggled with his delivery from wide areas. Across his last four appearances, he has completed just 1 of 19 attempted crosses, highlighting a clear weakness in his game. (Stats via FotMob.)
In addition, Newcastle’s back line is strong aerially and well-equipped to defend crosses into the box.
When defending Madueke in wide areas, Newcastle should look to show him down the line toward the touchline, limiting his ability to cut inside and ensuring they are not beaten in 1-v-1 situations.
Furthermore, Newcastle should look to tightly mark central options such as Ødegaard and Zubimendi when Madueke is in possession out wide. By removing those passing lanes, they can isolate him and force him into low-percentage crossing situations.
Counter-Attack With Width
Due to Arsenal’s fluid attacking structure, their shape can become very high up the pitch when in possession—including the back line. Fullbacks frequently overlap or underlap their wingers and can be caught advanced when possession is turned over.
Newcastle have pace in wide areas and must look to counter-attack quickly and directly when these situations arise. The most effective route will likely be through the outside lanes, exploiting the space left between Arsenal’s central defenders and the vacated fullback zones.
Arsenal vs Newcastle Prediction
Arsenal are in a must-win scenario, with every remaining match carrying significant weight in the title race. They have the quality to control possession in Newcastle’s half and dictate the tempo of the match, slowing it down or increasing intensity when needed.
For Newcastle, the task will be to remain compact, make themselves difficult to break down—both in their defensive shape and pressing structure—and be clinical when opportunities arise.
The outcome of this match could also be heavily influenced by key injury absences. For Arsenal, the potential return of Riccardo Calafiori and Jurriën Timber would provide a major boost, particularly in attacking phases. For Newcastle, the absence of Anthony Gordon would be a significant loss, especially in transition and wide areas.
Ultimately, Arsenal’s control of possession and ability to sustain pressure should prove decisive. Newcastle may struggle to consistently build from the back and could be forced into going long, leading to turnovers and sustained Arsenal pressure.
Prediction: 2-0 Arsenal
