Newcastle United vs Arsenal preview: Gunners out to end St James’ Park hoodoo | OneFootball

Newcastle United and Arsenal headline round six of the 2025-26 Premier League season with their meeting at St James’ Park on Sunday.

Both teams had to settle for a point in their most recent league outings and will be looking to claim a victory on Tyneside this weekend.

Newcastle United preview

After picking up their league win of the season against Wolverhampton Wanderers, Newcastle could only manage a point from Sunday’s trip to Bournemouth.

Newcastle recently suffered a 2-1 defeat to Barcelona in their Champions League opener, and must improve their home form.

Eddie Howe’s men hit Bradford City for four in Wednesday’s League Cup match-up, but will expect a much sterner test when Arsenal visit this weekend.

However, the hosts have beaten their next opponents in three straight home matches without conceding, most recently a 2-0 triumph in the second leg of February’s League Cup semi-final.

Arsenal preview

Arsenal snatched a point from the jaws of defeat in their 1-1 draw against Manchester City on Sunday courtesy of Gabriel Martinelli’s stoppage-time strike.

The result left Mikel Arteta’s side trailing leaders Liverpool by five points after as many matches, and Arsenal know they cannot afford any more slip-ups.

Arsenal made light work of lower league opponents in midweek as they eased past Port Vale 2-0 through goals from Eberechi Eze and Leandro Trossard.

Having conceded the opener in four of their last five matches against this weekend’s hosts, the visitors will be keen to fly out of the blocks to avoid going behind once again.

Team news

Yoane Wissa is yet to make his Newcastle debut due to a knee injury he picked up on international duty.

Jacob Ramsey is also unavailable for the hosts with an ankle problem, while Fabian Schar misses out with a concussion.

Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz are guaranteed absentees for Arsenal with knee issues, leaving Viktor Gyokeres as the only senior striker fit to play.

Noni Madueke was replaced at half-time against Manchester City and has since been diagnosed with an injury that will keep him out for two months.

Piero Hincapie has played just six minutes in an Arsenal shirt as he continues to battle with a muscle problem, ruling him out of contention this weekend.

Martin Odegaard has missed the last three games through a shoulder injury, but could be back for the trip to Tyneside.

Newcastle United Predicted XI (4-3-3): Pope; Trippier, Thiaw, Burn, Livramento; Guimaraes, Tonali, Joelinton; Elanga, Woltemade, Gordon.

Arsenal Predicted XI (4-3-3): Raya; Calafiori, Gabriel, Saliba, Timber; Rice, Zubimendi, Merino; Eze, Gyokeres, Saka.