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2023/24 English Premier League
Matchday 26
Arsenal v Newcastle United
Emirates Stadium
London, England
Saturday, 24 February 2024
Kick-off is at 22h00
Arsenal will attempt to keep the pressure on the
Premier League leaders when they entertain Newcastle at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, February 24 in the late kick-off.
The Gunners stayed in touch with Liverpool after crushing Burnley 5-0 at Turf Moor on Saturday, February 17 to climb above Manchester City into second place.
The Reds maintained their two-point lead at the summit with a 4-1 victory over Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium, with the Citizens only managing a 1-1 draw with Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium.
Mikel Arteta's side now have the best goal difference in the league as they are second-highest scorers (58) behind the Merseyside giants (59) after banging in 11 goals in their last two outings.
The Magpies are still missing several first-team players through injury, but they've steadied the ship somewhat in recent weeks after picking up eight points from their last five matches.
A 2-2 draw with Bournemouth at St James' Park on Saturday, February 17 extended their unbeaten run to four games, although lifted Eddie Howe's side slipped down to eighth position after Brighton (7th) thrashed Sheffield United 5-0 at Bramall Lane one day later.
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In team news, Arteta must do without Jurrien Timber (knee) and Oleksandr Zinchenko (calf), but Takehiro Tomiyasu (international duty), Fabio Vieira (groin) and Gabriel Jesus (knee) could come back into contention, while Thomas Partey (thigh) is rated doubtful. Howe has a lengthier injury list to contend with as Sandro Tonali (suspended), Callum Wilson (chest), Joelinton, Matt Targett (both thigh), Nick Pope (shoulder), Elliot Anderson (back) and Fabian Schar (wrist) remain unavailable. Some good news for the Toon, however, is that Joe Willock (calf) and Alexander Isak (groin) could return to action.
Arteta has challenged his players to maintain their high standards as the Gunners go in search of their first league title in 20 years.
"Individually we are in a really good moment and Bukayo [Saka] is in a good moment. We need to maintain that. We have that momentum and it's a case of still doing it. There are still things we can do better so we keep going.
"We have to believe we can win every game. We are approaching every game in that way. When the team has that belief and confidence, something good can happen.
"But we know the standards and what it will require, we have to keep elevating those standards. I believe we can do that as I see them in training every single day. Let's go for it."
Image Source: Alamy Stock Photo
Howe stressed the importance of getting results even when the cards are stacked against them and felt Matt Ritchie's late equaliser from the penalty spot against the Cherries kept them moving forward.
"Another comeback from us. We had to dig really deep. The goals we conceded were tough blows. It was important we didn't lose," he said.
"We're not at full power at the moment or our fluent best but there's reasons for that. They're obvious. We're a bit disjointed. We've got players playing who aren't in their best positions.
"But everyone is giving all they can to get consistent results. We're returning to getting points after a spell when we weren't. That was a big late goal. It keeps the momentum."
Head-to-Head (Last Five Premier League Meetings)
Matches - 5
Arsenal wins - 2
Newcastle wins - 2
Draws - 1
Premier League Matchday 26 fixtures:
Wednesday, February 21
21h30: Liverpool v Luton Town
Saturday, February 24
17h00: Aston Villa v Nottingham Forest
17h00: Brighton & Hove Albion v Everton
17h00: Crystal Palace v Burnley
17h00: Manchester United v Fulham
19h30: Bournemouth v Manchester City
22h00: Arsenal v Newcastle United
Sunday, February 25
15h30: Wolverhampton Wanderers v Sheffield United
Monday, February 26
22h00: West Ham United v Brentford
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