Premier League leaders Arsenal will get one of their toughest tests yet on Tuesday as Newcastle United heads to the Emirates holding a 12-game unbeaten streak.
Arsenal are on a superb run as well with five straight wins registered. Can they make it six on Tuesday? Bookmaker William Hill has the odds at 1.75 for the home win. The odds are at 4.60 for Newcastle to win and at 3.70 for the two sides to split the points with a draw.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: January 2nd, 6:00 P.M. (EST)
The Gunners have returned from the World Cup break with back-to-back league wins, scoring seven goals. They have moved on to 43 points, and through 16 games, sit in a position from where every previous team in English top-flight history has gone on to win the title. It’s a very encouraging sign regarding the title race but it could also add pressure on a young team.
Arsenal’s youngsters have grabbed the headlines again since the season resumed, with Eddie Nketiah, Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka each scoring in both of the most recent wins, while Martin Odegaard has handed out three assists.
Winning the title would already be a special feat, but if Mikel Arteta can do it with his current young core, this team will be remembered for a very long time. Beating an in-form side like Newcastle would be another sign of intent for Arteta’s crew.
The Magpies appear to have skipped a step or two in their bid to start dominating English football. The big Saudi investment was bound to help the club rise from the bottom, but nobody expected them to be challenging for a Champions League spot so soon. We can even talk about a possible title bid as Newcastle already occupied the second spot in the table for a bit last week.
The team had to settle for a 0-0 draw against Leeds last time out, but Newcastle have played superb stuff in general all season and look capable of beating anyone on their day. They boast a very good scoring record and Eddie Howe has also found a way to mold his side into the best defensive team in the league with only 11 goals conceded in 17 games.
Goalkeeper Nick Pope has played a huge part in the defensive success and his performance will be one of the keys again Tuesday. He has tallied a league-best nine clean sheets this season and also sits at the top of the table among all regular goalies with an 82.5-percent save percentage. If he can get another clean sheet on the board Tuesday, Newcastle would become the first team this season to keep Arsenal at bay.
