Arsenal vs. Newcastle match thread: Searching for three points at the Emirates

Arsenal enter Sunday’s match on the back of four straight draws. Newcastle are tied with the Gunners on 31 points, but have a -12 goal differential compared to Arsenal’s -2. Both sides have just one win in their last five, and are at a critical point between staying in the race for European places and drifting into mid-table malaise.

Newcastle’s only win in the Premier League since the start of the new year was a 1-0 result against Chelsea at home. However, Arsenal’s form at home has been dreadful lately. Over the last five home matches, the Gunners sit dead last in the Premier League collecting just four points and with a -3 goal difference. Neither side has had much of an attack lately, but have had the winter break to regroup and plan for this match.

On Saturday Burnley defeated Southampton 2-1 to push Arsenal down into 11th place before the kickoff against Newcastle. However, a win would only see the Gunners lifted back up into 10th place, on goal difference over Burnley. A sign of exactly how desperate these three points are needed and how the gap above is starting to spread out. Fifth place Sheffield United are nine points clear, but have played one extra match. At home against a team below us in the table, Arsenal have to find the attack to earn all three points.

WHO:

Arsenal - Leno, Bellerin, Mustafi, David Luiz, Saka, Ceballos, Xhaka, Ozil, Pepe, Nketiah, Aubameyang

Newcastle - Dubravka, Lazaro, Fernandez, Lascelles, Clark, Rose, Longstaff, Bentaleb, Almiron, Saint-Maximin, Joelinton

WHAT: Newcastle at Arsenal, Premier League Matchday 26

WHERE: Emirates Stadium

WHEN: Sunday, February 16th 11:30 AM ET | 8:30 AM PT | 4:30 PM BT

US TV: NBC Sports Network. Stream here.

For all your international streaming needs, check livesoccer.tv. Please do not discuss or share links to illegal streams here.

The Short Fuse has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence editorial content, though Vox Media may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links.