Chris Sutton highlights key issue as he predicts the winner of Newcastle United vs Arsenal

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Chris Sutton believes Newcastle United vs Arsenal will be decided by how Mikel Arteta approaches the game.

The Arsenal manager is hoping to stop a rotten run of results at St James’ Park, having lost three in a row on Tyneside.

Eddie Howe has had the better of Mikel Arteta in recent years, and will hope that trend continues when Newcastle face Arsenal on Sunday.

For Arsenal, they will be under pressure to attack the game after sitting back against the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City and ultimately failing to win.

According to Chris Sutton, the attacking talent of Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze should be enough to hand the Gunners victory in the North East.

Chris Sutton predicts Arsenal to beat Newcastle United

As part of his Premier League predictions for BBC Sport, Sutton has given his verdict on how Newcastle United vs Arsenal will play out on Sunday.

He believes that Arsenal will be triumphant, but only if Arteta decides to take off the handbrake and go for it.

“This has become a bit of a grudge match since Newcastle’s controversial win at St James’ Park in 2023,” he said.

“Arsenal have lost on their past three visits but even a draw might not help them much this time, because they cannot afford to fall any further behind Liverpool at the top of the table.

“So, Mikel Arteta really needs a win, but how will he approach this? Does he regard Newcastle as a top side and, if so, will he play his robust midfield trio again in the middle of the park?

“He seems to be quite negative and defensive in games like this, and I think it is a legitimate question to ask if Arsenal can win the Premier League by being that cautious.

“Arteta really needs to go for it more. I am finding Newcastle difficult to predict because they do not score many goals, but they are still hard to beat.

“There are a few reasons why I am backing Arsenal – Bukayo Saka is fit again and, if Eze starts as well, they will carry a real threat. They have got Gabriel Martinelli too – but what happens here is really down to Arteta.”

Sutton’s prediction: Newcastle United 1 Arsenal 2.

Newcastle United’s incredible defensive record ahead of facing Arsenal

As Sutton says, Newcastle United are really hard to beat.

Eddie Howe’s side have been immensely tight at the back this season, recording four clean sheets in five Premier League games. The only Premier League side they have conceded against are Liverpool, who are top of the table with a 100% record.

Nick Pope is playing very well, but Newcastle’s tight defence is not just about him. It is also about the players in front of him, as the Magpies have not actually been conceding many chances.

So far this season, Newcastle have conceded the fewest number of shots in the entire top flight (37 shots). Those shots have equated to an xG of 2.6, which is also the lowest in the Premier League.

Howe is blessed to have a really strong defence, and it will be interesting to see who he deploys at the back on Sunday.

As part of Geordie Boot Boys’ predicted Newcastle United XI to face Arsenal, Sven Botman drops to the bench to allow Dan Burn to return to the side. That would be harsh on the Dutchman, as he has been playing brilliantly. However, it is the type of difficult decision that Howe must make as he rotates his squad.