Arsenal will play Newcastle this weekend (28th September) in what promises to be a formidable test for the north London giants. The Magpies have lost just one of their opening five fixtures but for contrast, have managed only one win and drawn three from that list.
Their solitary loss came at home to Premier League Champions Liverpool back in August in a five goal thriller, the winning goal scored in the 100th minute by sixteen year old Rio Ngumoha, coming off the bench to secure the points and a 3-2 win for the Merseysiders.
Moving on from the Isak saga which dominated the early season headlines, it is the Newcastle defence which has since grabbed the attention and been the subject of much discussion this season with four clean sheets across their five opening matches. The three goals conceded against Liverpool being the only blemish on an otherwise perfect card.
Likewise, Arsenal can boast of a solid defence conceding only twice in seven games, and when asked if he is proud of the start that they too have made defensively, Arteta said, "yes, especially as one of them was a free kick that you cannot do much about, and one was an action in that there are things to improve, but overall I think we've been consistent. It will be key to maintain that level".
Looking at past seasons results between the two it would be no surprise then if the Geordies were feeling confident about this fixture, having beaten the Gunners in three out of the last four seasons at St. James Park. Make no mistake, Sunday's match against a Newcastle team roared on by the Toon Army will pose a serious challenge for Mikel Arteta's team.
Arsenal form
A late equaliser against Manchester City last week keeps the Gunners in second place on 5 points behind league leaders Liverpool, who have started the season with a perfect 5 wins from their opening five fixtures.
Overall, Arsenal have 5 wins from 7 in all competitions this season, the latest being their victory in the Carabao Cup over Port Vale on Wednesday night with goals from Eberechi Eze and Leandro Trossard. They have started the Premier League campaign strongly in defence with a league best for goals conceded shared by fellow London neighbours Crystal Palace, with 2 goals against for the season. Currently sat in 13th place in the league with six points, Eddie Howe's Newcastle will hope to emulate the 1-0 victory over Arsenal that they achieved last season (2/11/2024) with a 12th minute goal from Alexander Isak, now of Liverpool.
They will have to improve on their goals for column in order to do that though as they have managed only 3 goals all season so far in the league. Pep Guardiola almost shut out Arsenal at the Emirates on Sunday with Manchester City conceding late and Arteta will have learned from that encounter and will set up his team against Newcastle accordingly.
Bukayo Saka is expected to return to the starting 11 with Arteta stating that "I think he's played the games that we anticipated, he did well, he feels good and he will be training the next few days".
Last win at St. James Park
Arsenal last tasted victory at St.James Park in the league back in may 2023 when the Gunners ran out 2-0 winners, a 14th minute goal from Arsenal captain, Martin Odergaard and an own goal from Fabian Schar in the 71st minute secured the points.
Arsenal finished 2nd in the league that year, five points behind Manchester City. They lost 2-0 to the Magpies last season also in the Carabao Cup semi finals on February 5th, going out 4-0 on aggregate in the two legged tie to the eventual winners of the trophy.
Sunday's fixture therefore will go a long way in determining Arsenal's title ambitions this year with new additions to the squad, Eberechi Eze, Viktor Gyökeres Riccardo Calafiori and Martin Zubimendi hoping to provide the attacking threat to break down the well marshalled Newcastle United defence.
💬 "They want to win with us."
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) September 26, 2025
The boss on what our newest recruits are looking to achieve at the club 👊 pic.twitter.com/MuzAeu6Qev
