Newcastle vs Arsenal: Prediction, team news and preview, as Rafa Benitez’s side chase first win of season
Toon have taken just a point from their opening four matches and desperately need a victory but Gunners are chasing third straight win under Unai Emery
NEWCASTLE take on Arsenal desperate to secure their first Premier League win of the season on Saturday.
Rafa Benitez's side have collected just one point from their opening four games and know victory at St James' Park will be a major kick-start to their faltering campaign.
But Unai Emery is starting to make an impact with the Gunners who are chasing their third straight win in the league, and he will be keen to get one over his Spanish rival.
Key Man - Salomon Rondon
Having worked long and hard over the summer to bring him in, Newcastle will be expecting Rondon to provide the physical threat in attack they have lacked in recent months.
Goalscoring record at West Brom was hardly prolific, but Rondon ploughs a lone furrow up top and can be a handful for even the best defences.
If he is on his game he can create havoc up top and create the kind of spaces Ayoze Perez loves to exploit - how he performs could be crucial to deciding the outcome of the match.
Weakest Link - Arsenal's defence
Different manager, same old story for Arsenal and if anything the back line has looked worse this season than it did under Arsene Wenger.
The Gunners have conceded eight goals in their four matches - even hapless West Ham scored against them and could have had more.
Emery's side appear to lack mobility down the middle of their defence, and still cannot cope with a physical battle. Rondon and Newcastle will be licking their lips at the prospect of facing them.
Likely Line-Ups
Newcastle
Jonjo Shelvey is back in contention after a thigh strain to provide some much needed creativity to the Newcastle midfield, while Matt Ritchie may also return.
Probable team: Dubravka, Lascelles, Clark, Yedlin, Dummett, Shelvey, Diame, Kenedy, Ritchie, Perez, Rondon
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Arsenal
The fitness of Lucas Torreira is a concern after he suffered a calf injury away with Uruguay, while defenders Sead Kolasinac, Laurent Koscielny and Ainsley Maitland-Niles are all out.
Probable team: Cech, Bellerin, Mustafi, Sokratis, Monreal, Guendouzi, Xhaka, Ramsey, Ozil, Aubameyang, Lacazette
What They Said
Arsenal boss Unai Emery on his relationship with Mesut Ozil: “I have a very good relationship with Mesut and professionally I push him for improvements to give us the best in his qualities and performances.
“Also I read this week in the newspapers in the match against Manchester City I say to the (groundsman), ‘Don’t put water on the pitch’ – it’s not true!
“This is the moment to say to you that I have a good relationship with Mesut and I didn’t say it to the groundsman not to water on the pitch, it’s not true.
“We are continuing our process with our positive things and our work.”
Stat That Matters
Arsenal have beaten Newcastle 26 times in Premier League matches. Only Everton (32) and West Ham (29) have been beaten more by the Gunners.
Prediction
Newcastle 1 Arsenal 2