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Jonathan Wilson takes Arsenal’s temperature
Mikel Arteta also spoke of “having to play for the sixth time this season with 10 men”. Written down, that could be seen as further criticism of his squad, but the tone suggested this was a bizarre misfortune that had befallen Arsenal when in truth the wild lunge that brought Mikel Merino a second yellow card at Anfield was as clear a booking as there could ever be. Arsenal have lacked discipline, their record of six red cards not only the worst in the league, but at least twice as bad as all but two other sides.
He’s back!
Team news: Havertz on the bench, Isak out
Mikel Arteta makes a single change from the honourable draw at Anfield a week ago. Declan Rice returns in place of the suspended Mikel Merino. Kai Havertz is on the bench after a rapid recovery from injury.
Newcastle are without Alexander Isak, who has a minor groin injury, so Callum Wilson starts up front. Eddie Howe sticks with the back three that worked so well against Chelsea in the first half last weekend – and, more importantly, against Arsenal in the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final. Wilson’s inclusion is the only change.
Arsenal (4-3-3) Raya; White, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Saka, Trossard, Martinelli.
Substitutes: Neto, Tierney, Zinchenko, Calafiori, Jorginho, Henry-Francis, Nwaneri, Havertz, Sterling.
Newcastle (3-4-2-1) Pope; Schar, Botman, Burn; Murphy, Guimaraes, Tonali, Livramento; Gordon, Barnes; Wilson.
Substitutes: Dubravka, Ruddy, Lascelles, Krafth, Willock, Longstaff, Miley, Osula, Neave.
Referee Simon Hooper.
Preamble
Arsenal came into the 2024-25 season desperate to avoid finishing second again for the third year in a row. But this scenario probably wasn’t what they had in mind. In mid-February, with 13 games remaining, they were still on Liverpool’s coat-tails in the title race and 12 points ahead of seventh-placed Newcastle. Only two points separate them now, so Newcastle will leapfrog Arsenal if they win at the Emirates today.
It’s all a bit 1997, when Robbie Elliott’s goal at Highbury on the penultimate weekend ultimately clinched second place for Newcastle ahead of Arsenal and Liverpool. That achievement, the last time Newcastle finished in the top two, and it was significant because it was the first season in which the runners-up qualified for the Champions League. Without Elliott’s goal, Tino Asprilla and Keith Gillespie’s glory night against Barcelona would not have happened. These days you only need to finish in the top five – or 17th, but that’s another story – to qualify.
Arsenal aren’t quite there yet. They need a point either today or away to Southampton next weekend to avoid landing on a snake and sliding down to sixth.
Newcastle need one more win, either today or at home to Everton next Sunday. But they, probably more than Arsenal given the trajectories of both sides, would love to finish second.
Kick off 4.30pm.
