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Match Preview – Arsenal vs Newcastle United: Howe to travel with squad after positive Covid-19 result kept him out of first game in charge

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Credit: @Arsenal instagram... The Gunners face Newcastle United at the Emirates in the early kick-off on Saturday...

Eddie Howe is set to be in the dugout for the first time as the winless Magpies travel to the Emirates on Saturday.

Howe’s side will hope to come out of the blocks quickly in North-London after their disappointing 3-3 draw with Brentford last time out. 

The Magpies are the only team in the top four English divisions yet to pick up a victory this season. Their woeful start to the 2021/22 Premier League season has left them rock bottom and five points from safety.

A troubling Christmas period is incoming.

However, the team from Tyneside have outscored their opponents Arsenal who have only netted 13 goals in the league so far and come into the game after shipping 4 goals in their disappointing away trip to Anfield last weekend. 

Credit: @NUFC instagram – Eddie Howe set to be in the dugout for the first time as Newcastle boss

Howe’s side have been free scoring in front of goal at times this campaign and carry a substantial attacking threat with the exciting Allan Saint-Maximin in fine form.

Top scorer Callum Wilson has shown his worth by scoring important goals in his time at Newcastle but will hope to have more of an effect on this fixture than last time out at home to Brentford. The defensive troubles continued at St James Park and have left a lot of fans worried about the real threat of relegation.

With the January transfer window still eight games away, performances need to improve quickly but the potential for points tomorrow afternoon looks unlikely as Arsenal hope to bounce back from their 4-0 defeat to Liverpool.

Arsenal have won the last six meetings between the two sides without conceding a goal as the Magpies have struggled at the Emirates, not finding the back of the net since 2014.

The Gunners currently sit in 5th position and are in good form following their lacklustre start to the season. They have won six of their twelve games and seem to have found their groove under Mikel Arteta.

The home side’s 10-game unbeaten run came to an end last time out after their humbling defeat to Klopp’s Liverpool.

Perhaps there is still a long way to go for this youthful Arsenal team but their fans have been treated to a decent run at home this campaign, as their side boast the join-best record alongside Manchester City and Chelsea.

They sit three points behind West Ham United in fourth and will hope to get back to winning ways to help bolster their chances of a European Place come the end of the season.

The lunchtime battle promises to be as intriguing as ever but with the form of goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale and Newcastle’s torrid record against the Gunners, many pundits have backed the home side to get the win in this one.

Arsenal have never lost a Premier League home game against the side starting the day bottom of the table (W15 D6), winning the last eight in a row by an aggregate score of 23-2.

Form

NUFC – L L D L D D 

AFC – D D W W W L

Team News

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has no new selection problems ahead of Saturday’s Premier League fixture with bottom of the table Newcastle.

Midfielder Granit Xhaka is still unavailable but the Gunners have been boosted by news he could be back before the end of the year after his ongoing recovery from a knee ligament injury.

Sead Kolasinac is still missing with an ankle problem that picked up on international duty earlier in November. 

Newcastle striker Dwight Gayle is a doubt for the trip to London with a hamstring injury. Gayle is to be assessed after resuming light training on Thursday – he has hardly featured this season. 

Paul Dummett (calf) remains on the sidelines but his return should’t be too far away.

Eddie Howe will be in the dugout at the Emirates after returning a negative Covid-19 test and faces a selection dilemma at the back. There’s increasing pressure to restore ‘keeper Martin Dubravka follwoing his return from a foot injury.

Stand-in goalkeeper Karl Darlow had a tough afternoon last time out in the end-to-end 3-3 draw with Brentford. 

Before Howe took over, Newcastle had averaged just 6.5 shots per game in their last five league games with an xG of 0.57. These figures shot up in the first game under their new manager as the Magpies recored 23 shots and a 1.76xG.

The away side are likely to set up with added attacking impetus against the Gunners as they try to get on the front foot and search for their first win.

The appalling defensive record leaves Newcastle in a challenging position and although it was an encouraging start to their new era, this one promises to be a tough proposition. 

Potential Line-ups

NUFC – 3-4-3

Dubravka (GK)

Clark (LCB), Lascelles (CB), Schar (RCB)

Ritchie (LWB), Shelvey (CM), WIllock (CM), Murphy (RWB)

Saint-Maximin (LW), Wilson (ST), Joelinton (RW)

Arsenal – 4-4-1-1

Ramsdale (GK)

Taveres (LB), Gabriel (LCB), White (RCB), Tomiyasu (RB)

Smith Rowe (LM), Lokonga (CM), Thomas (CM), Saka (RM)

Lacazette (CF)

Aubameyang (ST)

Pre-match thoughts? Can Newcastle get their first win of the season? Are you happy with the appointment of Eddie Howe? Who is excited to see him in the dugout for the first time?

Join in the conversation and have your say.

More to follow…

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Newcastle United to Reveal New Shirt Sponsor?

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Newcastle United Kit Idea - NUFC kits

footballinsider247 are reporting that the main shirt sponsor slot for Newcastle United is expected to be filled by airline SAUDI, who sponsored Newcastle’s mid-season tour of their owners’ homeland in December.

They state ‘This site revealed in February that there is frustration at St James’ Park that they have inherited a kit deal with Castore worth just £5m per year with no break clause and several seasons left to run.’

Newcastle’s recently appointed CEO Darren Eales has already previously expressed that the club at looking at all commercial opportunities and fans on Twitter were keen to mock up their expectation for the new shirts, see below and let us know your thoughts and also see our below video on how NUFC can increase commercial avenues..

Eddie Howe’s team are currently in a strong position to achieve a European slot which would increase revenue into the club allowing more spend whilst staying within Financial Fair Play which is something Howe has spoken about on several occasions as they look to stay within. If the club do reach a European slot it should help significantly with recruitment in the summer by making it a more attractive proposition to any incoming targets.

What do you think of the kits – let us know on our facebook page and join in on the conversation.

You can also download our FREE app – https://linktr.ee/northeastupdates

Newcastle United Kit Idea - NUFC kits
Newcastle United Kit Idea - NUFC kits
Newcastle United Kit Idea - NUFC kits
NUFC Concept Kits Designs
NUFC Concept Kits Designs
Credit: NUFC kit concept – twitter

 

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Amazon filming Newcastle United for “All or Nothing” style documentary

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Amazon Prime are currently filming behind-the-scenes footage at Newcastle United for a new documentary.

The docu-series will provide an insight into the club and its efforts to secure a top-four finish and a piece of silverware in the 2022-23 season.

Reports today revealed that camera crews have been filming a four-part documentary for their All or Nothing series. Sky Sports’ Keith Downie confirmed that the series will cover the club and the new owners as they attempt to qualify for the Champions League and win a trophy.

The All or Nothing series has previously documented other Premier League Clubs including Manchester City, Arsenal, and Spurs as well as the Brazilian national team, Juventus, and the All Blacks of rugby.

Newcastle face Manchester United in the Carabao Cup final on February 26 at Wembley.

The Magpies have featured three times in Europe’s most prestigious competition.

Most recently in the 2003-04 season as they reached the third qualifying round, eventually losing on penalties to Serbian side FK Partizan.

The season before the Toon finished third in the 2002-03 Champions League group stages, winning twice against Bayer Leverkusen and drawing with Inter Milan 2-2 at the San Siro. The lineup that night; Given, Solano, O’Brien, Dyer, Shearer (C), Bellamy, Speed,  Griffin, Hughes, Dabizas and Viana.

The series is expected to air later this year and will be available on Amazon Prime.

Based on previous seasons, you can expect exclusive access to training sessions, team meetings and match days, giving fans an in-depth look at what goes on behind the scenes on a day-to-day basis at Newcastle United.

It is set to be an incredible storyline and one that should provide fans with some real insight into what it takes to compete at the top level of professional football.

What do you think Newcastle fans?

Does this excite you or do you stand more with Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp who once said the cameras could be intrusive to the dressing room when he turned down the offer from Amazon In 2018?

 

Join the conversation on our Facebook page…

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Newcastle target rejects Everton move following £45m bid.

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Newcastle united - St James Park

Everton have made a £40million bid with £5m in add-ons to sign Connor Gallagher from Chelsea.

This comes after Newcastle completed the signing of Anthony Gordon, the club’s second most expensive transfer behind Alexander Isak.

Everton received an initial fee of £40m plus add-ons that could increase the deal to £45m.

The Toffees currently sit 19th in the Premier League and are looking to reinvest the money from the Gordon deal to sign much-needed players under newly appointed manager Sean Dyche. 

But, multiple sources have reported today that Gallagher is not actively pushing for a move and has no intention of going to Goodison Park. However, with Chelsea having met the record-breaking €120m release clause for World Cup winner Enzo Fernandez, Gallagher may be forced to leave the club if the transfer is complete.

This leaves Newcastle an option as the player would prefer a move to a top-six club.

This morning, Eddie Howe said, “We’ll see what we can do to try & bring a player in. There’s no guarantees. In terms of permanent signings, it will be very difficult. We’ll look at a potential loan. But it’s got to be the right player & not one for the sake of it”.

Due to financial fair play, the only way Newcastle could sign the player is through a loan, with an obligation to buy the player for at least £45m, the same price they paid for Anthony Gordon.

Gallagher has been playing regular Premier League football over the last two seasons. Since returning to his parent club Chelsea, the 22-year-old has been linked with a move away to numerous Premier League clubs.

Last season he was named Crystal Palace’s Player of the Season by their fans. He also won the Player of the Month award twice, Goal of the Month once, and was awarded the Young Player of Year at the 2022 London Football Awards.

In the same season, he made 36 appearances scoring eight goals and registering three assists that earned Palace a 12th-place finish, one point behind Newcastle.

Have Your Say!

Would you want Newcastle to sign Conor Gallagher?

Does he start?

Let us know on our Facebook page!

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