Arsenal’s remarkable run of five consecutive league victories to kick off the year came to an abrupt halt with a heartbreaking 94th-minute defeat to Porto in Europe.

Manager Mikel Arteta expressed frustration over the team’s lack of attacking threat, especially evident in their failure to land a single shot on target. This disappointment contrasts sharply with their record-breaking spree of 21 goals in their first five Premier League matches of the calendar year.

With aspirations of their first league title in 20 years, Arsenal cannot afford any further setbacks, especially with Newcastle United heading to the Emirates Stadium this Saturday. Currently trailing league leaders Liverpool by five points, though with a game in hand, the Gunners are under pressure to maintain their momentum.

Fortunately, their home form has been formidable, suffering only one league defeat in front of their faithful since May, with an impressive record of 10 wins and 2 draws.

Newcastle United’s season, however, hasn’t unfolded as anticipated by their fans. Eliminated from the Champions League group stage and sitting eighth in the table, a considerable 12 points off the top four, the Magpies face considerable challenges. Off-field distractions, such as Sporting Director Dan Ashworth’s potential departure to Manchester United, add to their concerns.

Despite showing signs of improvement with a five-match unbeaten streak, including 3 wins and 2 draws, Eddie Howe’s side still needed to rally from behind twice to secure a draw against Bournemouth in their last outing.

A trip to North London presents a daunting task for Newcastle, given their dismal record at the Emirates. Winless in their last 12 visits, with 11 losses and just 1 draw, they’ve also struggled to find the back of the net in their last eight encounters, failing to score in seven of those matches.

In terms of players to watch, Arsenal’s captain Martin Ødegaard has been in scintillating form, directly contributing to four goals in his last two Premier League appearances. Additionally, Ødegaard has a knack for scoring early, with four of his last five goals coming before half-time.

Meanwhile, Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon, despite scoring the winner against Arsenal in the reverse fixture, has failed to score in his last six away matches.

An interesting statistic to note is that a victory for Newcastle would mark their first league double over Arsenal since the 1994/95 season, adding intrigue to this already compelling matchup.