Premier League: Table Toppers Set for New Year Showdown

Arsenal vs Newcastle United

Ok, hands up – who predicted this Premier League fixture, the first game of 2023 for Arsenal and Newcastle, would be a meeting between the leaders and the third-place side?

For what it’s worth, this SBOTOP reporter admits he didn’t either.

Talking Points

Sure, it wasn’t a massive surprise that one of these sides may be in third and harbouring aspirations of a Champions League qualification spot.

After all, manager Mikel Arteta has helped Arsenal better control their matches, improve their positional rotation and fluidity in possession along with other finer details highlighted by acclaimed football writers.

Likewise, Newcastle, backed by a new-found wealth, were always going to climb the table.

That improvement, under the stewardship of Eddie Howe and a number of statement signings, has been acknowledged as a “sensible” football project under their Saudi Arabian regime – even though there are calls for “difficult questions” about the club’s ownership to be answered.

However, few expected both to be quite this high, or to have only been defeated once each, as we enter 2023, to the extent that it would now be a surprise if at least one of them do not make the top four come the end of the campaign.

Newcastle have been helped, of course, by not playing in Europe and that freshness could come into play in the final months of the season.

For now, though, it’s time to look ahead to what should be a fascinating clash between two improving and confident teams – all this at a ground where Newcastle have not only lost on their last 10 visits but have failed to even score in the last six.

The question has been asked in recent weeks, can Arsenal sustain their title bid in the second half of the season without their best player.

It certainly seems certain that Arteta will need to go into the transfer market this month to replace the Brazilian frontman, even only a loan signing as a stop-gap for a player who has netted five goals and dished out five assists to help the team build a now seven-point lead at the top of the table.

Yet he has also brought far more to the club with a level of professionalism and unselfishness which appears to have rubbed off on those around him.

Their home form has been impressive, including wins over Liverpool and success in the North London derby at the start of October.

If Newcastle are to get a positive result, their chances will be enhanced by a goalscoring threat of their own and in England man Callum Wilson they have such a player.

He was left on the bench for more than an hour of their draw with Leeds on New Year’s Eve as he returned from illness and, with respect to the likes of Chris Wood and Joelinton, is a step above both his team-mates.

With both teams likely to show their talents from an attacking perspective, don’t expect a cagey start to the New Year at the Emirates. It should be full of Premier League 2023 highlights and tell us a bit about both sides ahead of the second half of the season.

History

What a rich history these two clubs have, dating back to their first ever meeting in 1893.

Traditionally, Arsenal have the edge with 83 wins to the Toon’s 68 and a further 38 draws.

However, in recent years it has been one-sided as Arsenal have actually won 18 of their last 20 meetings.

Last season, the Gunners won the corresponding fixture 2-0, thanks to goals from Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.

However, it was the return fixture, the penultimate league game of the season, which proved costly to Arsenal’s top four hopes as the scoreline was reversed on Tyneside, courtesy of an own goal and Bruno Guimaraes – a match which ended Newcastle’s run of failing to score in their last seven meetings with Arsenal.

Before last season, the only Newcastle victory for more than a decade came in April 2018 when Alexandre Lacazette opened the scoring but Ayoze Perez and Matt Ritchie turned the game around to seal a fine 2-1 home success for the Geordies.

An Andy Carroll goal in 2010 was the last time Newcastle won at Arsenal.

Betting Tip

The SBOTOP Premier League 2023 betting odds back Arsenal by quite a margin.

The Gunners can be backed 1X2 @ 1.92 and Asian Handicap -0.50, also @ 1.92.

The Tynesiders are priced 1X2 @ 3.90 and Asian Handicap +0.50 @ 2.01.

Another 2-0 home Arsenal success is on offer @ 9.50, while if you are optimistic for the visitors, how about Double Chance Newcastle or Draw @ 1.82.

For goals, which these encounters so often produce, then among the options are total goal 0-1 @ 3.85, 2-3 @ 1.97, 4-6 @ 3.15 and over 2.75 goals @ 2.00.

I am actually going to opt for honours even in this one, a result which would suit reigning champions Manchester City.

 

●●●

CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS

Stay updated with everything sports and betting.

Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.