Both Arsenal and Newcastle have had incredible Premier League campaigns this season, and the meeting on Sunday is going to be an intense battle between two very good teams.
Arsenal fans will have bitter memories from last year’s 2-0 defeat which ultimately resulted in the club missing out on Champions League qualification, but there are big differences for both sides this season.
3 differences between Newcastle vs Arsenal this year and last
Arsenal’s top-four hopes were crushed on Tyneside this time last year. (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
1. Arsenal will be prepared for the atmosphere
The St James’ atmosphere was non-existent throughout Mike Ashley’s ownership of the club, with Newcastle’s home being a chasm of toxic negativity for over a decade.
That all changed last season when the Saudi takeover was completed. The place came alive again, and the famous Geordie atmosphere was reignited, with fans once again desperate to get their hands on tickets.
That atmosphere took the players and fans by surprise last season, and this year it has been even louder, but Arsenal players know what they are walking into, and have become much better at handling noisy grounds.
When the sides met last season, Arsenal had just suffered a harrowing 3-0 defeat to Tottenham, and went to St James’ needing a win to keep their Champions League hopes alive.
This year, Arsenal have just comfortably beaten Chelsea 3-1 and confidence is coming back after a difficult period, so hopefully that confidence and experience helps the players deal with the intimidating environment the fans will create.
Continued on the next slide…
atmosphere was reignited, with fans once again desperate to get their hands on tickets.</p>
<p>That atmosphere took the players and fans by surprise last season, and this year it has been even louder, but Arsenal players know what they are walking into, and have become much better at handling noisy grounds.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Xhaka on Newcastle v Arsenal last season:</p>
<p>“They destroyed us. They were much better and wanted it more.</p>
<p>“We have to go there and show them that we are ready. <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/05/05/3-differences-newcastle-arsenal/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/NEWARS?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>#NEWARS</a></p>
<p>“It will be a tough game but we have to go there and believe.” <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/05/05/3-differences-newcastle-arsenal/"https://t.co/T4flCZsns3">pic.twitter.com/T4flCZsns3
<p>— Chris Wheatley (@ChrisWheatley) <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/05/05/3-differences-newcastle-arsenal/"https://twitter.com/ChrisWheatley/status/1653510143017906178?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>May 2, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>When the sides met last season, Arsenal had just suffered a harrowing 3-0 defeat to Tottenham, and went to St James’ needing a win to keep their Champions League hopes alive.</p>
<p>This year, Arsenal have just comfortably <a title="Arsenal 3-1 Chelsea: 3 talking points as Gunners run riot" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/05/05/3-differences-newcastle-arsenal/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/05/03/arsenal-3-1-chelsea-3-talking-points/" rel="">beaten Chelsea 3-1</a> and confidence is coming back after a difficult period, so hopefully that confidence and experience helps the players deal with the intimidating environment the fans will create.</p>
<p><em>Continued on the next slide…</em></p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/05/05/3-differences-newcastle-arsenal/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> The lineups have changed significantly </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Last time out against the Gunners at St. James’ Park! 😍</p>
<p>🔙 <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/05/05/3-differences-newcastle-arsenal/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/NEWARS?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>#NEWARS</a> <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/05/05/3-differences-newcastle-arsenal/"https://t.co/W4ypCtOrZi">pic.twitter.com/W4ypCtOrZi
<p>— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/05/05/3-differences-newcastle-arsenal/"https://twitter.com/NUFC/status/1653750153977942016?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>May 3, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
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<h2>2. The lineups have changed significantly</h2>
<p>Last season, Arsenal lined up with an injured Takekiro Tomiyasu at right back, who lasted 30 minutes, Ben White who was struggling with a hamstring injury, Nuno Tavares at left-back, Mohamed Elneny in midfield, Emile Smith Rowe on the left and Eddie Nketiah up front.</p>
<p>By contrast, Newcastle had everyone fit barring Kieran Trippier and Joe Willock but had just been smashed 5-0 by Man City in their previous game, so again, confidence was not exactly soaring, and they relied on the energy from the crowd.</p>
<p>This year, both teams have improved a lot, with Alexander Isak and Sven Botman adding significant quality. However, much of Newcastle’s personnel is the same. Eddie Howe, though, has evolved them into a much more efficient and structured unit.</p>
<p>Arsenal have added a lot of quality and will have either Jorginho or Thomas Partey in midfield, Oleksandr Zinchenko at left-back, <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/05/05/3-differences-newcastle-arsenal/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/05/03/3-things-learnt-jakub-kiwior-chelsea/">Jakub Kiwior</a> at centre-back, Gabriel Martinelli or Leandord Trossard on the left and Gabriel Jesus up front. If they can get those players playing, they will cause real problems.</p>
<p><em>Continued on the next slide…</em></p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/05/05/3-differences-newcastle-arsenal/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Structural advancements </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Newcastle United have conceded fewer goals than any other team in the Premier League this season.</p>
<p>Arsenal have kept more clean sheets away from home than any other team on the road<a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/05/05/3-differences-newcastle-arsenal/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/NEWARS?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>#NEWARS</a></p>
<p>— Orbinho (@Orbinho) <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/05/05/3-differences-newcastle-arsenal/"https://twitter.com/Orbinho/status/1653966931051831297?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>May 4, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
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<h2>3. Structural advancements</h2>
<p>A year ago, Arsenal were a very young team who played exciting football with overlapping full-backs. A year on, they play controlling football with an extremely high line and an inverted fullback in Zinchenko, who operates as an auxiliary midfielder.</p>
<p>Zinchenko’s inclusion has changed the way Arsenal play, as the six now has an option at all times, and the team can control the ball with ease, facilitating efficient build-up play and sustained pressure.</p>
<p>Against Newcastle, this is going to be tough with their midfield running power and Howe’s excellent press. Moreover, the space Zinchenko leaves at left-back could be exploited by Miguel Almiron or Jacob Murphy, but if Arsenal get it right, that structure could pin Newcastle into their defensive third as they did at the Emirates in January.</p>
<p>Similarly, Newcastle have improved their structure massively, and are an incredibly well-coached side that can exploit Arsenal if they lose their shape, or get complacent in any way.</p>
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<p>This is a game that will be defined by character and concentration. Both teams have the quality to punish each other. For Arsenal, it’s about keeping their structure and letting their quality break down Newcastle.</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">
