Talking to Sportskeeda, Paul Merson has predicted a slender defeat for Newcastle United at the moment as they tackle his former membership Arsenal within the early kick off at St James’ Park.
The Sky Sports activities pundit claimed that Newcastle is usually a massive risk to anybody when everyone seems to be match and on kind, however feels this isn’t the case in the intervening time and fears we’re “too open” on the again and may very well be picked aside.
Arsenal have additionally been with out a few key gamers lately with Martin Odegaard a giant miss, however Merson thinks they need to have simply sufficient to take all three factors.
Unsurprisingly, Merson has named Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon as our largest threats and with it nonetheless unknown whether or not Gabriel might be match to play, the attacking duo will again themselves towards Arsenal’s shaken up again line that may be with out White and Calafiori.
Merson stated: “This can be a big recreation for Arsenal. It’s one the place you have a look at and assume, ‘Arsenal should win this one’. Liverpool face Brighton & Hove Albion this weekend and so they already beat them within the Carabao Cup in midweek, so we’re anticipating the identical consequence once more. You additionally count on Manchester Metropolis to beat Bournemouth so Arsenal can’t afford to slide up.
“Arsenal are sitting again an excessive amount of in video games now. I do know they’ve key gamers lacking out resulting from accidents, however they need to’ve attacked extra towards Liverpool final weekend. Even when a draw remains to be a good consequence for them, Arsenal weren’t as free-flowing as they have been earlier than and that’s an issue. The outdated Arsenal have been entertaining, now they’re simply sitting again and counter-attacking. For those who do that each week on this league, you’ll get discovered quickly.
“I hope this modification in technique is simply because of the gamers they’re lacking in the intervening time. After the journey to Newcastle, they face Chelsea away from house. These two video games are essential for the Gunners, they have to discover a strategy to win each!
“Newcastle beat Chelsea throughout the cup recreation in midweek, however I doubt they will again it up with one other win on Saturday. Alexander Isak appears to have returned to kind and Anthony Gordon is all the time a risk together with his tempo. However I really feel they’re too open on the again and good groups can all the time decide them aside. Once they have all their gamers in good kind, Newcastle are a correct workforce however that isn’t the case in the intervening time. Arsenal win for me on this one!”
Merson’s Prediction: Newcastle 1-2 Arsenal
It’s an enormous recreation for Eddie Howe, who might be hoping to finish a run of 4 video games with out victory within the league and particularly after a disappointing defeat to Chelsea final weekend.
HWTL.