Newcastle v Arsenal: Premier League predictions, preview, odds and free tips
Depleted Gunners may have to settle for a point at St James’ Park
TV: Sky Sports Main Event & Premier League, 2pm Sunday
No club shifted players in and out over the summer quite like Arsenal, yet they still head to Newcastle short-handed and they look no great value to get their Premier League campaign off to a winning start.
Gunners chief Unai Emery brought in seven new faces and discarded a staggering 21 which looks, on the face of it, slightly unbalanced.
That lack of balance is even more pronounced when you throw in a handful of injuries and two players – Mesut Ozil and Sead Kolasinac – who have been told not to travel for security reasons.
Ordinarily Arsenal might look bankers against Newcastle, who they have beaten in 12 of their last 13 meetings. And the Geordies ought to be there for the taking with the masses frothing over the underwhelming appointment of Steve Bruce.
But it’s possible that Emery will have virtually an entire first team unavailable at St James’ Park and backing them at odds-on against that backdrop simply doesn't look the smartest shout.
Newcastle got better towards the end of last term, an improvement built on home form which included wins over Manchester City and Everton.
Preparations for Arsenal haven’t gone that well. Five defenders, including new signing Kieran Tierney and Kolasinac, are out.
There is no guarantee that new signing David Luiz is fit and the same goes for record signing Nicolas Pepe, who has hardly trained. Alexandre Lacazette, meanwhile, is hoping to shake off an ankle injury.
If Lacazette and 22-goal Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang can team up and look fit, then clearly Arsenal are a far different proposition.
But even then, a Bruce side who will be hell-bent on trying to avoid defeat rather than being bold and running the risk of getting rolled over, have to have a reasonable shout at avoiding defeat.
There’s not a lot to admire about Newcastle but defenders Fabian Schar and Jamaal Lascelles are class acts and if they have good days then the Magpies can avoid defeat. A win is not impossible, but the draw looks a wiser wager.
Bruce has an appalling record against Arsenal – two wins in 27 tussles against them as a manager – and he knows the natives are unhappy with his appointment.
But he has managed to open Mike Ashley’s chequebook, though only one of his newcomers – record signing Joelinton – looks nailed on to start. Joelinton scored at St James’ Park last weekend in a 2-1 win against St-Etienne and looked sharp. Miguel Almiron, playing off him, looked far less impressive and we’ve no real clue how these two will work together.
Behind him Bruce is relying almost wholly on the workers who grafted so well for Rafa Benitez last term so don’t expect anything radically different from the new manager.
Recommendation
Draw
1pt 14-5 bet365, Betfred, Betway
Newcastle v Arsenal team news
Newcastle
DeAndre Yedlin is recovering from surgery. New signing Andy Carroll and fellow frontman Dwight Gayle are out.
Arsenal
New left-back Kieran Tierney joins Rob Holding, Dinos Mavropanos and Hector Bellerin on the injured list. Alexandre Lacazette, Nicolas Pepe and Mohamed Elneny will be assessed. Mesut Ozil and Sead Kolasinac haven’t travelled.
Newcastle v Arsenal key stat
Arsenal’s 19 away games last season produced 66 goals, 3.5 goals per game.
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