Man Utd dominated Newcastle at Old Trafford last Saturday, but the Magpies managed to hold on for a 0-0 draw. Steve McClaren’s side gave up an astonishing 69% of possession, letting Man Utd create 20 total shots and eight on target. However, they did just about enough to hold out for a point.
Comparatively, Man Utd are much less elegant and creative in attack than Arsenal. And although Arsenal have begun the season without displaying their best, Newcastle will still be extremely worried about the multitude of ways in which Arsène Wenger’s Gunners can undo them.
Alexis Sánchez will be an obvious concern for Newcastle, but Wenger cannot overuse him after the Chilean’s busy summer of football for his country in the Copa América. This is a time when Mesut Özil should be stepping to prove that he is actually worth of his £42.5 million transfer fee.
Expectations
In their game against Man Utd, Newcastle were dominated in every meaningful aspect expect for scoring. On another day, the outcome could have been completely different. Man Utd’s inability to finish played a key role in Newcastle being able to keep a clean sheet. Another clean sheet would likely result from Arsenal also struggling in attack.
After drawing 2-2 at St James’s Park versus Southampton, Newcastle have not scored in two-straight outings. Going for more than 200 minutes without scoring in the league is already enough to impact a team and affect their confidence.
Arsenal have maintained won all of their last six league games Newcastle. Back in March, they travelled north and managed to earn a valuable 2-1 away victory. Wenger knows how to beat Newcastle.
This could be the type of game that gets Arsenal into a rich vein of form, enabling them to score goals without being entirely dependent on Sánchez for their creativity. Players who need to step include Özil, Santi Cazorla, Aaron Ramsey, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Match Tips
Tip one: Arsenal to win @ 1.53 with Betfair
Tip two: Papiss Cissé to score anytime @ 3.80 with Betfair
Incredibly, Newcastle’s biggest scoring threat, Papiss Cissé, is available to score anytime at 3.80 with Betfair.