Arsenal have no choice but to win at St James’ Park tomorrow.
Liverpool’s stoppage-time defeat to Crystal Palace has opened a door, and Mikel Arteta’s side can close the gap on the champions to just two points if they take advantage.
Anything less would feel like a wasted opportunity, especially given how relentless Liverpool have been in recent seasons.
Arsenal have not always enjoyed their visits to Newcastle, losing each of their last three trips without scoring a goal.
Arteta acknowledged as much in his press conferencedescribing St James’ Park as “incredibly beautiful… one of the best football atmospheres in this country” and a place where “you have to be dominant for long periods of time to win.”
The challenge for Arsenal will be efficiency. Arteta admitted his team “will have to be much more efficient than we’ve been lately when we played up there,” pointing to previous lapses that Newcastle punished.
He also stressed the importance of controlling the early stages in such an intense setting, saying: “The first five minutes are the most important minutes for the first five minutes, and then the next five minutes until the referee blows the whistle. It is everything.”
This is a call for Arsenal to start with conviction, not caution.
Personnel could make a difference. Martin Odegaard is in line to return after training with the squad, while Bukayo Saka has been declared fit. Saka is chasing his 100th Premier League goal involvement, and Arteta expects him to deliver again: “100, 101 and 102, hopefully on Sunday.”
At the other end, William Saliba remains pivotal. Arteta praised his development, saying the defender has been “instrumental in everything we’ve done in the last few years.” Keeping Newcastle’s attack quiet, even one lacking Alexander Isak, will be central to Arsenal’s hopes.
The defensive base is strong – only two goals conceded in the league so far – but Arteta has insisted it is a collective effort, beginning with the press from the forwards.
Newcastle’s own problems are clear. They have only three league goals this season, and while Eddie Howe’s men have been solid defensively, their attacking spark has yet to return. Arsenal must exploit that imbalance.
With Liverpool faltering for the first time, the pressure is squarely on Arsenal to prove they can be serious challengers.
Arteta has spoken repeatedly about efficiency, dominance and mentality. Tomorrow is the time to turn those words into points.
Victory would not just end a poor run at St James’ Park but also put Arsenal right back in the title race.
