Team News: Havertz on the Bench, Isak Out
Mikel Arteta has made one change following the respectable draw at Anfield last week. Declan Rice comes back in for the suspended Mikel Merino, while Kai Havertz is on the bench after recovering from his injury quicker than expected.
Newcastle will be missing Alexander Isak due to a minor groin injury, so Callum Wilson will lead the attack. Eddie Howe has opted to keep the back three that performed well against Chelsea in the first half last weekend as well as in the Carabao Cup semi-final against Arsenal. Wilson’s inclusion is the only adjustment to the lineup.
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 entered the 2024-25 season with hopes of avoiding a third consecutive second-place finish. However, the current situation might not be what they envisioned. Back in mid-February, with 13 games left, they were trailing Liverpool in the title race, 12 points ahead of seventh-placed Newcastle. Now, just two points separate them, meaning Newcastle could overtake Arsenal with a win at the Emirates today.
This scenario brings to mind 1997 when Robbie Elliott’s goal at Highbury secured Newcastle a second-place finish over Arsenal and Liverpool. That moment was particularly significant as it marked the first season where the runners-up qualified for the Champions League. Without Elliott’s goal, the memorable win against Barcelona might have never happened. Nowadays, just finishing in the top five—or even 17th—can ensure qualification.
Arsenal still have some work to do. They need at least a point today or during their upcoming match against Southampton to avoid slipping into sixth place.
As for Newcastle, they require another victory—either today or against Everton next Sunday. They, perhaps more than Arsenal, are keen to secure a second-place finish given the recent trajectories of both teams.
Kick-off: 4:30 PM.
