Paul Merson predicts what the score will be between Newcastle United and Arsenal

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Paul Merson has given his verdict on what the result will be when Newcastle United face Arsenal this weekend.

It is another tough fixture for Newcastle United, who have picked up just one Premier League win so far this season. They have also only lost one game, which was the agonising 3-2 defeat to Liverpool.

As for Arsenal, they have started the campaign brightly, but have also failed to deliver in potentially title-deciding games against Liverpool and Manchester City. They are second after five games, but are already five points adrift of Liverpool.

It is poised to be a thrilling and physical contest on Sunday, as it always is when Eddie Howe and Mikel Arteta face off. Both sides need a victory, but Paul Merson expects the points to be shared.

Paul Merson says Newcastle United vs Arsenal will be a draw

As part of his Premier League predictions for Sportskeeda, former Arsenal attacker Paul Merson has given his verdict on what will happen at St James’ Park on Sunday.

While he wants the Gunners to replicate Liverpool’s win on Tyneside, he is expecting Newcastle vs Arsenal to end in a draw.

“Newcastle always turn up against Arsenal,” he said.

“The fans at St James’ Park are always good, but they just get a bit more electric in this fixture! Arsenal have lost their last three games there, so this is a tricky game for them.

“If Liverpool are held to a draw at Crystal Palace, Arsenal wouldn’t mind walking away with a point here. But if the league leaders get another three points, this game automatically falls into the must-win category.

“When you look at Arsenal, they would have faced all of Liverpool, Manchester City and Newcastle after this weekend. Imagine spending big and not beating any of these three teams that finished in the top five last season? Where is the progress then? Arsenal have a good run of fixtures coming up after this game. But if you don’t beat Newcastle, you are basically entering that run with an eight-point lead to chase down.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	LiverpoolLiverpool	5	5	0	0	11	5	6	15
2	ArsenalArsenal	5	3	1	1	10	2	8	10
3	TottenhamTottenham	5	3	1	1	10	3	7	10
4	BournemouthBournemouth	5	3	1	1	6	5	1	10

“If you’re a team in the title race, you don’t want to be playing catch up when the easy fixtures come along, you want to use them to get away from other contenders and kick on instead!

“Arsenal must not sit back in this game, if they do that, Newcastle will score. I’d play Saka, Eze and Viktor Gyokeres as the front-three here but I don’t think Arteta will do that if I’m being honest. I have a feeling Gabriel Martinelli will start instead of Eze. He’s a disciplined player and can be useful with his pace. But Eze is the X-factor, he can unlock defences like he showed against City.

“We saw how Newcastle gave Liverpool a strong fight with just 10 men at St James’ Park earlier this season. Liverpool were very fortunate to come away with a win in that game. If you’re Arsenal, you want to match what Liverpool did here, but I don’t think they can do it.”

Merson’s prediction: Newcastle United 1 Arsenal 1.

Newcastle United’s record against Arsenal under Eddie Howe

Since becoming Newcastle United manager, Eddie Howe has got the better of Arsenal more than they have got the better of him.

There have been 10 meetings in league and cup, with Newcastle winning five, Arsenal winning four and one draw.

Most recently, it is Newcastle who have been on top. They beat Arsenal three times out of four last season, while they are on a run of three consecutive victories over the Gunners at St James’ Park.

They would love to make it four and really kickstart their 2025/26 Premier League campaign, but that will be challenging. Bukayo Saka is expected to be fit for Arsenal, while Newcastle will be without Yoane Wissa, Jacob Ramsey and Fabian Schar due to injury.