Theo Walcott has made his prediction for Arsenal’s clash against Newcastle United on Sunday afternoon.
The Gunners will be looking to respond to a disappointing draw against Manchester City last time out by securing all three points at St. James’ Park for the first time since the 2022/23 season.
Newcastle won this fixture 1-0 last season, courtesy of a stunning Alexander Isak header.
Mikel Arteta’s team won’t have the Swede to deal with on Tyneside on this visit, and they should be extremely confident of coming away victorious against a Magpies team who are struggling to score goals.
Theo Walcott makes Newcastle United vs Arsenal prediction
Newcastle have frustrated Arsenal at St. James’ Park in recent years.
In November 2023, Anthony Gordon scored a controversial goal to defeat the Gunners, before the North Londoners were beaten by the same single-goal scoreline last term.
Arsenal’s last win in the north-east came back in April 2023, when the Gunners silenced a buoyant St. James’ with an outstanding 2-0 victory, courtesy of a long-range strike from Martin Odegaard and an own goal from Fabian Schar.
Arteta will hope his much-improved squad can replicate this performance and secure a much-needed three points.
Ex-Gunners winger Theo Walcott is confident that his former team will indeed come up trumps in the north-east.
Speaking on the Overlap US, Walcott predicted Arsenal to beat Eddie Howe’s team 2-1.
“I’ve gone 2-1,” Walcott said.
“2-1 Arsenal. 2-1 to Arsenal.”
If the Gunners do win, it’ll be just Arteta’s third victory away at Newcastle since taking over at the Emirates.
Early Newcastle United team news ahead of Arsenal clash
While Arsenal won’t have Isak to deal with, they will have 6’6″ Nick Woltemade to negate.
The German striker arrived from Stuttgart to replace the departing Isak, and his size and physicality will give William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes a real test.
The Gunners will also have to face Anthony Gordon, who will return from a three-match suspension for the red card he picked up against Liverpool, on Sunday.
However, Eddie Howe will be without new signings Jacob Ramsey and Yoanne Wissa, who are recovering from ankle and knee issues respectively.
Meanwhile, Schar will also miss out with a head injury
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