Eze and Havertz injured as Arsenal win the hard way against Newcastle

Eze and Havertz injured as Arsenal win the hard way against Newcastle Last updated 25 April 2026 8:12pm BST Save Share article Log in or Subscribe Copy link X Icon twitter Facebook Icon facebook WhatsApp Icon whatsapp email Add us as preferred source Add us as preferred source Copy link X Icon twitter Facebook Icon facebook WhatsApp Icon whatsapp email Eze’s goal means Arsenal keep up the pressure on Man City in the title race Credit: David Klein/Reuters Daniel Zeqiri live updates. Sam Wallace at Emirates Stadium Last updated 25 April 2026 8:12pm BST Save Share article Log in or Subscribe Copy link X Icon twitter Facebook Icon facebook WhatsApp Icon whatsapp email Add us as preferred source Add us as preferred source Copy link X Icon twitter Facebook Icon facebook WhatsApp Icon whatsapp email They have matched Manchester City stride for stride once again but Mikel Arteta may well wonder: at what cost? Both his match-winner Eberechi Eze and his starting centre-forward Kai Havertz came off injured in this game, and there is no time to spare with Atletico Madrid awaiting in the Champions League semi-final first leg on Wednesday. For all that, this was a fine Arsenal performance in the circumstances, ending that run of two Premier League defeats and reminding Arteta’s players of how games must be won the hard way. At least the Arsenal support can say that Bukayo Saka is now back, playing his first minutes as a substitute since his injury in the Carabao Cup final more than a month earlier. Arteta punched the air on the final whistle. For now, his team are back on top of the Premier League table. This was a game of high anxiety between two sides under pressure – and both played well at the end of a long and hard season. For Eddie Howe it is that elusive edge in front of goal that his team seek. William Osula missed a chance in the first minute and from the bench he would send on Yoane Wissa, Nick Woltemade, Harvey Barnes and Anthony Elanga in search of the equaliser. There was no Anthony Gordon, missing through injury, and yet this was not a Newcastle team that were anything other than committed. They were in it through seven minutes of injury time but the problems for Howe are clear. This was Newcastle’s fourth straight Premier League defeat and their fifth in all competitions. Howe’s team have won just three Premier League games since the start of February. The home game against Brighton on Saturday is a big moment in the Howe years. More follows Latest updates Daniel Zeqiri live updates. Sam Wallace at Emirates Stadium 8:10PM Arteta on the injuries to Havertz and Eze Link copied to clipboard They are muscular niggles, we don’t think it is too much. We will have to wait and see if they will be available for Tuesday. 8:08PM Eze speaking on Sky now Link copied to clipboard He says he was substituted as a precaution and that he’ll be fine. We’ll find out when Arsenal’s team is announced in Madrid on Wednesday whether that is true. 8:04PM Arteta believes Pope should have been sent off Link copied to clipboard There was a really debatable non red card for the second time in two games because against City we should have played against 10 men when it was 1-1. I just watched it back and for me it’s crystal clear. Viktor Gyokeres was fouled by Nick Pope Credit: Mark Leech/Getty Images 8:01PM Arteta’s thoughts Link copied to clipboard We got the result that we wanted and we are very happy. I think they made five subs and it felt like they made 10 subs! The margins are very short. We had so much discipline, courage and great habits defensively, but there are moments with the ball when we have to do much better. We want to be more dominant. Mikel Arteta wants Arsenal to be better in possession Credit: John Walton/PA 7:57PM Eddie Howe speaking to BBC Sport Link copied to clipboard We feel today was a big step forward in terms of our performance. It was much better from a defensive performance. To lose in the way we did was disappointing. We had a few chances and that was pleasing. We were much better with the ball and we are going to be with Bruno’s return. We are frustrated to lose the game and the disappointing run continues which is something we want to stop. Performances always give you hope if they are heading in the right direction. Our confidence and belief has been missing but I think today will have turned the corner. Easy to say but now we need to deliver. Eddie Howe’s team have now lost four league games in a row Credit: David Klein/Reuters 7:49PM Make of this what you will Link copied to clipboard 10 - Arsenal's Premier League victories at the Emirates when the game's only goal came in the first 10 minutes: April 2026 v Newcastle (Eze) October 2019 v Bournemouth (D. Luiz) February 2011 v Stoke (Squillaci) August 2008 v West Brom (Nasri) Outlasted. pic.twitter.com/cfp9s8qnYg — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 25, 2026 7:45PM Odegaard speaking on the pitch Link copied to clipboard On the performance: “It was tough, very intense, very physical. We did everything we could and we got the win, the most important thing was to bounce back with a win and get over the line with the three points.” Scoring from a short corner: “We practice it all. That’s our quality. We can score in many different ways. We did it brilliant today. “I think the stadium was a bit annoyed that we took it short again but it paid off in the end and it was a great finish.” Tiredness in the team: “This schedule is crazy. We just have to keep going. It is the end of the season, just leave everything out that we have inside, fight every single game and we just have to keep going. “That’s where we want to be but it is going to go all the way to the end. We are ready for it and we will fight every single day.” Martin Odegaard has completed 90 minutes in the last two games Credit: Alex Burstow/Getty Images 7:35PM Arteta’s celebrations told a story Link copied to clipboard An outpouring of relief at the final whistle. Notable though, that the likes of Odegaard and Rice were down on their haunches. That Arsenal midfield, Rice and Zubimendi in particular, is looking leggy. 7:29PM Full time! Arsenal 1 Newcastle United 0 Link copied to clipboard Arsenal three points clear at the top of the Premier League but the events of the day do not exactly inspire much confidence for what is to come. Havertz and Eze, the match-winner, were lost to injury and the quality of Arsenal’s football was a step backwards from what they produced at the Etihad. Newcastle’s midfield controlled much of the game, but a lack of incision in the final third cost them. Mikel Arteta's full-time reaction as Arsenal beat Newcastle to go back on 🔝 pic.twitter.com/rgNcMUJqsD — Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 25, 2026 7:28PM 97 minutes: Arsenal 1 Newcastle United 0 Link copied to clipboard Hincapie foul, Newcastle free-kick, one last chance to put it in the mixer. Pope is up! But the delivery is terrible and Arsenal head clear. 7:27PM 96 minutes: Arsenal 1 Newcastle United 0 Link copied to clipboard Newcastle have a corner as we head into the last minute. Tonali with a shot from range which deflected off Lewis-Skelly. Arsenal struck late from a corner in the reverse fixture, can Newcastle return the favour? No, the delivery was poor and Hincapie heads clear. Rice crosses after the a break, straight out for a throw. 7:24PM 94 minutes: Arsenal 1 Newcastle United 0 Link copied to clipboard What a dreadful piece of play from Gyokeres, wasting a four-on-one counter attack after excellent defending from Hincapie. Just had to find Saka on the far side, but passed the ball into the shins of the Newcastle defender. Newcastle with a poor switch of play straight out for an Arsenal throw. 7:22PM 92 minutes: Arsenal 1 Newcastle United 0 Link copied to clipboard Newcastle launch a long throw into the box, which Raya claims, before a quick release to Rice. Hincapie feels he should have got a free-kick for a Wissa foul, before Gabriel stops the counter with a foul on Woltemade. 7:20PM 90 minutes: Arsenal 1 Newcastle United 0 Link copied to clipboard There will be SEVEN minutes of added time. Anguish around the Emirates. 7:19PM 90 minutes: Arsenal 1 Newcastle United 0 Link copied to clipboard All a little untidy between Gabriel and Hincapie at the edge of Arsenal’s box under pressure from Wissa, but the Newcastle forward is penalised for a foul. White tries to go down the line to Saka, but Burn buys the foul. 7:17PM 88 minutes: Arsenal 1 Newcastle United 0 Link copied to clipboard We should not be surprised but Saka has improved Arsenal’s attack since coming on. He sets the ball back for Odgeaard, whose shot from the edge of the box is pushed behind by Pope. Newcastle defend the ball into the box. 7:15PM 86 minutes: Arsenal 1 Newcastle United 0 Link copied to clipboard Dan Burn defends well at the back post from the corner, and then draws a foul from Rice who is booked by the referee for dissent. Another change from Howe: Elanga on for Willock. 7:13PM 84 minutes: Arsenal 1 Newcastle United 0 Link copied to clipboard Half a chance again for Newcastle with Barnes finding space down their right, but Burn’s header at the back post did not have enough power to beat Raya. Better from Lewis-Skelly to play through the lines into Saka, and Odegaard feeds Gyokeres. Shot blocked, Arsenal corner. 7:11PM 82 minutes: Arsenal 1 Newcastle United 0 Link copied to clipboard Saka involved straight away, found by Martinelli, and he tries to cut inside Dan Burn to shoot. Deflected wide and out for a corner, from which Martinelli’s overhead kick is straight at Pope. 7:10PM 80 minutes: Arsenal 1 Newcastle United 0 Link copied to clipboard Wissa misses Newcastle’s best chance on the game! It is a glorious dinked pass over the centre-backs by Woltemade, but Wisse could not get over his right-footed volley with only Raya to beat. Arteta responds with two changes: Lewis-Skelly and Saka on for Zubimendi and Madueke. Newcastle United’s Yoane Wissa misses a chance to score Credit: David Klein/Reuters 7:09PM 78 minutes: Arsenal 1 Newcastle United 0 Link copied to clipboard Odegaard looking short of energy at the edge of the Newcastle box, Ramsey takes the ball off of him. You wouldn’t say Newcastle have created much at all, but Arsenal can have no complaints if they are punched on the nose in the closing stages. They have not been good enough. 7:05PM 76 minutes: Arsenal 1 Newcastle United 0 Link copied to clipboard Another change from Howe: Woltemade, who scored in the reverse fixture, replaces Bruno Guimaraes who is just back from injury. Rice delivers another peach of a free-kick from the right, but no Arsenal player was attacking it. 7:04PM 73 minutes: Arsenal 1 Newcastle United 0 Link copied to clipboard Better from Arsenal to release Madueke down the right, but Zubimendi was losing his balance as the ball was set back for a shot. Then Pope gets himself in an almighty mess! Sweeping up behind his defence as Gyokeres chases the ball, but the goalkeeper slipped and impeded the Swede. Just the yellow card show because it was close to the touchline and Thiaw was covering. Nick Pope receives a yellow card for this challenge on Gyokeres 🟨 pic.twitter.com/MdcimH1Tg5 — Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 25, 2026 7:01PM 71 minutes: Arsenal 1 Newcastle United 0 Link copied to clipboard Arsenal have the ball for a few minutes in the Newcastle half, but they slow themselves down and Martinelli loses the ball and hacks down his man at the expense of a yellow card. Guimaraes slips in midfield which gives Odegaard time and space, but he plays to the ball back to Zubimendi who miscues a scooped pass straight through for a goal kick. 6:59PM 68 minutes: Arsenal 1 Newcastle United 0 Link copied to clipboard Arsenal are continuing to struggle, it feels like they are hanging on without Newcastle really punishing them. Martinelli concedes a silly free-kick which Bruno is going to whip into the box, but it is straight down Raya’s throat. Great throw forward to release Martinelli but Tonali gets back to slow him down. 6:56PM 66 minutes: Arsenal 1 Newcastle United 0 Link copied to clipboard It opened up for Rice too shoot at the edge of the box, but he turned down the opportunity. Good running again from Osula, and Tonali’s strike from distance is blocked by Gabriel. Barnes and Wissa are on for Murphy and Osula. 6:54PM 64 minutes: Arsenal 1 Newcastle United 0 Link copied to clipboard Newcastle have played well but have lacked some punch in the final third. Howe is going to try to address that by bringing on Barnes and Wissa. 6:51PM 61 minutes: Arsenal 1 Newcastle United 0 Link copied to clipboard Botman off the field for a minute to receive treatment after he was caught in the head by the boot of Hincapie.  Space opens up after Bruno Guimaraes stays down in midfield, and Odegaard threads a pass through to Madueke but he showed too much of it to Dan Burn, but did enough to force a corner from the defender. 6:49PM 59 minutes: Arsenal 1 Newcastle United 0 Link copied to clipboard You wonder how many minutes Bukayo Saka has in his legs and whether Arteta is contemplating using him. Newcastle have Woltemade and Wissa on the bench, and they are warming up. 6:46PM 57 minutes: Arsenal 1 Newcastle United 0 Link copied to clipboard Ben White with an aimless ball down the line straight out for a throw, and there are groans from the home crowd. The loss of two of Arsenal’s more technical players is not helping matters, but Gyokeres does better there to get his body in and win a free-kick up against Burn. Yellow card for the Newcastle defender. 6:45PM 55 minutes: Arsenal 1 Newcastle United 0 Link copied to clipboard Rice wins a second ball in midfield, and Arsenal win a free-kick in a crossing position towards the right. Rice is over it, and will deliver into the box, and the teasing deliver skips across the six-yard box. Hincapie was flagged offside, but he looked on. 6:42PM 52 minutes: Arsenal 1 Newcastle United 0 Link copied to clipboard Newcastle turning up the heat on Arsenal’s defence, but Saliba heads clear well and then the flag goes up for offside. Arsenal’s players are toiling though, struggling to press effectively. And things might be about to get worse for Arsenal... Eze is down and receiving some treatment. His race is run, Martinelli is going to come on. Two of Arsenal’s best attackers have been lost to injury Credit: David Klein/Reuters 6:39PM 49 minutes: Arsenal 1 Newcastle United 0 Link copied to clipboard Half a chance for Hincapie, heading back across goal from a deep Ben White cross, but then Saliba lets the ball bounce against Osula and Newcastle can gain some territory. 6:37PM 47 minutes: Arsenal 1 Newcastle United 0 Link copied to clipboard Signs that Arsenal are looking to be more direct in the early stages of the half and apply more pressure on the Newcastle player in possession. Newcastle soon settle on the ball again though, but Murphy’s cross deflects back off his shin and Arsenal have a goal kick. 6:34PM We’re back under way! Link copied to clipboard No changes from either manager at the break. 6:30PM The story of the first half Link copied to clipboard Newcastle have had close to 50 per cent possession and have had nine shots to Arsenal’s three, which is not the pattern we envisaged before game. Granted, several of those shots have been from distance, amounting to just 0.33 expected goals combined. Arsenal have mustered just 0.08 xG. Joe Willock battles with Martin Zubimendi Credit: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images 6:28PM Set-piece again (with a twist) Link copied to clipboard 17 - With Arsenal's opener against Newcastle, they now hold the individual season record in the Premier League for: Most goals from corners (17) Most goals from corners to go 1-0 up (10) Perfected. pic.twitter.com/T4rUXMBO7i — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 25, 2026 6:20PM HT: Arsenal 1 Newcastle United 0 Link copied to clipboard Arsenal lead through Eberechi Eze’s moment of brilliance, but their overall performance has been reminiscent of several of the games in which they have dropped points since the turn of the year. Struggling to sustain pressure on Newcastle, who are finding it quite easy to progress the ball through midfield without creating too many clear-cut chances. Arsenal have also lost Havertz to injury. Arteta will be pleased by the scoreline, but will want much more. Eberechi Eze’s goal is the difference at half time Credit: David Klein/Reuters 6:15PM 45 minutes: Arsenal 1 Newcastle United 0 Link copied to clipboard There are three minutes of added time to play. 6:14PM 44 minutes: Arsenal 1 Newcastle United 0 Link copied to clipboard Ben White gambles on the press and it enough to force Botman to pass the ball straight out of play for an Arsenal throw-in. They failed to take advantage and the game is meandering towards half time. 6:11PM 41 minutes: Arsenal 1 Newcastle United 0 Link copied to clipboard Arsenal with a long spell of possession in the Newcastle half, but it was pretty sterile and they ended up playing all the way back to Saliba and Gabriel. Saliba concedes another free-kick, which Bruno Guimaraes is going to clip into the box. Newcastle back to the high press. They fancy their chances squeezing a mistake out of Raya or one of his defenders and so Arsenal go long instead from the goal-kick. Newcastle have coped well with that approach. Happy to defend the central areas and take their chances with crosses into the box. 6:07PM 36 minutes: Arsenal 1 Newcastle United 0 Link copied to clipboard Good defending from Hincapie up against Miley after a long Bruno Guimaraes diagonal. Losing Havertz is a serious blow for Arsenal, but Gyokeres did have one of his better game at St James’ Park earlier in the season. Dan Burn with an ambitious shot from long range, dragged well wide. Losing Kai Havertz is a real blow for Arsenal - yet another injury. Hard to say what because he walked off quite comfortably. It’s back to the old plan: hit Gyokeres and see what sticks. 6:03PM 33 minutes: Arsenal 1 Newcastle United 0 Link copied to clipboard An injury worry for Arsenal: Havertz is down and is receiving some treatment, Gyokeres has been sent out to warm up. Havertz does not look comfortable, there’s a shake of the head as he walks off. Gyokeres is going to replace him. Havertz goes down the tunnel. Arsenal’s Kai Havertz trudges off Credit: John Sibley/Reuters 6:00PM 30 minutes: Arsenal 1 Newcastle United 0 Link copied to clipboard What an effort from Tonali! Swerving shot on the volley after the corner was cleared, and Raya was wrong-footed for a second. The goalkeeper changed direction and just about plucked the shot away from danger before gathering. 5:58PM 28 minutes: Arsenal 1 Newcastle United 0 Link copied to clipboard Eze fouled in midfield, as Arsenal start to take a firmer grip of the game but they have perhaps been too elaborate around the Newcastle box. Madueke with another low cross, cleared, after a neat pass from Odegaard. Willock drags Newcastle forward on the break, and wins a corner after his cross hits Saliba in the face. Martin Odegaard is having an influential game. Was very deep early on when Newcastle were pressing high but now much more advanced as Arsenal dominate possession. Noni Madueke has also looked much more effective on the right. No telling end product yet but much more incisive. Bukayo Saka has just done his first touchline warm-up to some applause 5:56PM 26 minutes: Arsenal 1 Newcastle United 0 Link copied to clipboard Better use of the ball from Arsenal, Zubimendi finding Odegaard with a pass around the corner, before the Arsenal captain almost returned the favour with a backheel in the box. Eze then almost finds Madueke with a disguised pass. 5:53PM 24 minutes: Arsenal 1 Newcastle United 0 Link copied to clipboard Zubimendi does well to pick out Madueke with a longer pass forward and the winger took the ball well on his chest, but he took a silly shot from long range when he had Odegaard in support. Now Newcastle have a free-kick in a dangerous crossing position, good work by Osula to win a foul against Saliba, skipping beyond him. Poor delivery from Bruno, and then Ramsey slices a volley wide. 5:51PM 21 minutes: Arsenal 1 Newcastle United 0 Link copied to clipboard Newcastle exposed in transition after a Zubimendi regain, but Madueke turned down the chance to shoot in the box after initial good work to fashion himself a yard. White and Odegaard then not on the same wavelength and the ball runs out of play. 5:49PM 18 minutes: Arsenal 1 Newcastle United 0 Link copied to clipboard Lewis Miley with a low cross gathered by Raya, before the Arsenal goalkeeper holds a curling strike from Joe Willock. But Arsenal struggling to press Newcastle and have sustained spells of possession in the opposition’s half. Declan Rice brings them forward with a driving run forward. 5:47PM 16 minutes: Arsenal 1 Newcastle United 0 Link copied to clipboard Arsenal find themselves under some pressure again, but Tonali is penalised for handball. Moments earlier, Gabriel had to head away a dangerous Miley cross. Arsenal playing more like the away team at the moment, looking to break at pace when they do win the ball back. 5:44PM 14 minutes: Arsenal 1 Newcastle United 0 Link copied to clipboard Newcastle are very much in this game, Howe will be pleased with the quality of their general play. Raya does well to claim a Tonali cross, and Osula is penalised for blocking his attempt at a long kick out. 5:42PM 12 minutes: Arsenal 1 Newcastle United 0 Link copied to clipboard Newcastle respond to conceding that goal with a period of possession inside the Arsenal half. The home team trusting their defensive shape, everyone back behind the ball. Odegaard pinches the ball back but Madueke wastes the chance to break. 5:40PM GOOOOOALLL! The short corner pays off thanks to Eze Link copied to clipboard What a finish by Arsenal’s number 10, and the Emirates crowd is not groaning about short corners now. Odegaard and Zubimendi attracted two Newcastle players out of the box, but Madueke threaded a pass into Havertz in the box. He set the ball back for Eze to shoot at the edge of the box, and he sweeps a sumptuous right-footed strike into the top corner. That’s the second time already Eze has been in space for a shot on the edge of the area. A very nice shortish corner into Havertz in space in the outer part of the area, and he rolled it to Eze. Newcastle should have done better. The individual match-winning ability of this Arsenal team has been absent in recent Premier League defeats. Eze demonstrates what a gifted player can do – change the game in a moment.  What a BEAUTY from Eberechi Eze! 😍 pic.twitter.com/lnqt3aBni8 — Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 25, 2026 5:38PM 8 minutes: Arsenal 0 Newcastle United 0 Link copied to clipboard A few groans from the crowd at another corner being taken short, but this one sets up Eze for a left-footed shot from 25 yards out or so. Dragged it just wide of the near post. Madueke’s pace gets him past Botman again, but his touch was heavy and Thiaw swept up at the expense of another corner. 5:37PM 7 minutes: Arsenal 0 Newcastle United 0 Link copied to clipboard Not quite the fast start Arsenal were looking for but they do have a corner via Havertz. Odegaard could have played him in behind earlier when there was space on the counter. Newcastle have to defend their first set-piece of the day. Taken short by Odgeaard, before White punches a pass through to Madueke, whose low cross is cleared behind for another corner. 5:35PM 5 minutes: Arsenal 0 Newcastle United 0 Link copied to clipboard Arsenal started very sluggishly, and Osula had a great chance within the first minute. A big swing at the ball and a complete failure to connect. Zubimendi lost the ball in midfield and no-one reacted. Major escape from for Arsenal. They then let in Bruno for a shot within three minutes.  Barely needs saying given the weather that there is a lot of exposed flesh in the away end.  5:34PM 3 minutes: Arsenal 0 Newcastle United 0 Link copied to clipboard Tidy start from Newcastle, moving the ball with accuracy from their defence through midfield. Their man-to-man press then causes Arsenal problems, the home team guilty of moving the ball to slowly in their own half, and Bruno Guimaraes shoots not far over from 25 yards. Zubimendi dispossessed again near the touchline. 5:31PM 1 minutes: Arsenal 0 Newcastle United 0 Link copied to clipboard Newcastle with a dangerous moment inside 30 seconds: Willock won a 50:50 against Zubimendi in midfield and ran away from the Arsenal player, before Osula showed his turn of foot against Saliba. The Newcastle forward tried to shoot across Raya with his left but kicked fresh air. 5:30PM KICK OFF! Link copied to clipboard Arsenal get the game started. 5:27PM The teams are out at the Emirates Link copied to clipboard Balmy evening in north London, and the pitch looks pristine having been a uncharacteristically rough during the early months of the year. 5:25PM Arsenal remember Alex Manninger Link copied to clipboard A moving tribute at the Emirates to the late Arsenal goalkeeper Alex Manninger who died this month at the age of 48 in a car accident. Warm applause from the crowd. Alex Manninger was a Double winner with Arsenal Credit: Mark Leech/Getty Images 4:59PM A win today would take Arsenal... Link copied to clipboard ...back to the top of the table.  4:54PM Calm and collected Link copied to clipboard We keep fighting. 🤝 @ComAve_Official pic.twitter.com/YYXg0iRYKe — Arsenal (@Arsenal) April 25, 2026 4:28PM Those teams in black and white Link copied to clipboard Arsenal starting XI: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie, Rice, Zubimendi, Odegaard, Eze, Madueke, Havertz Subs: Arrizabalaga, Mosquera, Saka, Jesus, Martinelli, Gyokeres, Trossard, Lewis-Skelly, Dowman Mikel Arteta makes one change to the side that lost to Manchester City on Sunday – Ben White in for Cristhian Mosquera. Bukayo Saka returns to the squad having not featured since the Carabao Cup Final defeat in March because of an achilles injury. Ben White starts for Arsenal today Credit: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images Newcastle starting XI: Pope, Miley, Thiaw, Botman, Burn, Guimaraes, Tonali, Ramsey, Murphy, Osula, Willock Subs: Ramsdale, Trippier, Hall, Wissa, Barnes, Elanga, Woltemade, A.Murphy, Neave Eddie Howe has made five changes with the big news being that Bruno Guimaraes starts. The Newcastle captain is back in the stasrting XI for the first time since February. Nick Pope, Dan Burn, Joe Willock and Jacob Murphy are also recalled as the visitors look to end a four-match losing streak in all competitions. Bruno Guimaraes starts for the visitors, who are looking to end a four-match losing streak Credit: Lee Parker/Getty Images 4:20PM Here’s Newcastle’s starting XI Link copied to clipboard UNITED 👊 pic.twitter.com/6wwwfIJMDg — Newcastle United (@NUFC) April 25, 2026 4:19PM The Arsenal XI Link copied to clipboard 🔴 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠𝙉𝙀𝙒𝙎 ⚪️ 🔙 White returns ✨ Eze and Odegaard bringing the creativity 🫡 Havertz leads the line Relish the battle, Gunners 💪 🤝 Presented by @deel — Arsenal (@Arsenal) April 25, 2026 4:02PM Arsenal looking to reignite title tilt Link copied to clipboard Mikel Arteta has called Arsenal’s game against Newcastle United the start of a “new season” after a fortnight in which their nine-point lead over Manchester City evaporated. The two title contenders are both locked on 70 points and the same goal difference, with City top courtesy of scoring three more goals. Arsenal surrendered control of the race by losing at the Etihad last Sunday. While City’s victory made them bookmakers’ favourites to win the title, there were perhaps reasons for optimism. The presence of Eberechi Eze, Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz in the same line-up helped Arsenal produce possibly their best performance of 2026, and they were the width of a post away from getting a result. Bukayo Saka and Riccardo Calafiori returning to the squad today strengthens them further, and fixtures against Newcastle, Fulham, West Ham, Burnley and Crystal Palace look like a favourable run-in. Much depends on whether they can mentally recover from butchering so many opportunities to put Manchester City to bed throughout the season, notably in January when Pep Guardiola’s team was floundering. They look to have caught Newcastle at a good time, with Eddie Howe’s team losing four of their past six league games. There is widespread uncertainty about the future of Howe and some key players, as well as the intentions of their Saudi owners amid ongoing instability in the Gulf. “We’ve lost a little bit of confidence, I think that was clear against Bournemouth on Saturday. With the recent results we’ve had and just the way things have fallen against us, players aren’t playing to their maximum level. You can see that,” said Howe. “We’ve got some ‌very, very good players in ⁠the squad that are underperforming and you can’t put a figure on how confidence can damage the individuals. “My job this week has been to support the players, to help the players, hopefully deliver some good work for them, then try and help them ⁠figure out how we can get back - individually and collectively - to our best levels.” One of the players who could move on is Anthony Gordon, but he missed today’s game owing to injury. Newcastle should have Bruno Guimarães back in their engine room, but Joelinton is suspended. Arsenal won the return fixture at St James’ Park in dramatic circumstances, with late Mikel Merino and Gabriel headers pulling what could be a pivotal win out of the fire. Full team news on the way shortly.