Arsenal host Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium on April 25, 2026, in a Premier League fixture carrying major importance in the title race.
The Gunners enter the weekend second but level with Manchester City on 70 points and the same goal difference. City sit top because they have scored three more goals, meaning an Arsenal victory over Newcastle would temporarily return Mikel Arteta's side to the summit.
Newcastle arrive in a very different position. Eddie Howe's side are 14th with 42 points and have lost their previous four matches in all competitions, leaving their hopes of European qualification increasingly remote.
Recent Premier League history favours Arsenal overall, particularly at the Emirates, but Newcastle have become much more competitive in this matchup over the past few seasons.
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Arsenal vs Newcastle United: Last 10 Premier League Meetings
Across the 10 league meetings immediately before April 25, 2026, Arsenal hold the stronger record:
Arsenal wins: 6
Newcastle United wins: 3
Draws: 1
Arsenal goals: 13
Newcastle goals: 6
Total goals: 19
Average goals per match: 1.9
The previous 10 Premier League results were:
Newcastle United 1-2 Arsenal — September 2025
Arsenal 1-0 Newcastle United — May 2025
Newcastle United 1-0 Arsenal — November 2024
Arsenal 4-1 Newcastle United — February 2024
Newcastle United 1-0 Arsenal — November 2023
Newcastle United 0-2 Arsenal — May 2023
Arsenal 0-0 Newcastle United — January 2023
Newcastle United 2-0 Arsenal — May 2022
Arsenal 2-0 Newcastle United — November 2021
Newcastle United 0-2 Arsenal — May 2021
Arsenal have therefore won six of the previous 10 league meetings, although Newcastle have won three of the last seven. The relatively low total of 19 goals also shows that this fixture has often been decided by defensive organisation and fine margins rather than consistently producing high-scoring games.
Arsenal Won the Reverse Fixture at St James' Park
The most recent meeting came at St James' Park on September 28, 2025, when Arsenal won 2-1. That victory was important because Newcastle had become a difficult opponent for Arteta's side, particularly on Tyneside.
Arsenal had lost their previous three competitive trips to Newcastle before recovering to take all three points earlier this season. The result also allowed Arsenal to complete a league double when the sides meet again at the Emirates.
Newcastle Have Caused Arsenal Problems in Recent Seasons
The overall last-10 record favours Arsenal, but Newcastle's improvement should not be ignored. Howe's side beat Arsenal 1-0 at St James' Park in both November 2023 and November 2024. Newcastle also eliminated Arsenal from the League Cup semi-finals in 2024/25 by winning both legs 2-0.
Those cup matches are not included in the league-only last-10 statistics above, but they underline why Arsenal cannot treat Newcastle as a straightforward opponent. Newcastle's physicality, pressing and ability to defend their penalty area have repeatedly made this matchup uncomfortable for the Gunners.
Arsenal Have Been Dominant at Home Against Newcastle
The Emirates Stadium presents a very different historical challenge for Newcastle. Arsenal have lost only once in their previous 20 home league games against the Magpies and have consistently produced strong defensive performances in this fixture.
Recent Premier League meetings at the Emirates include: Arsenal's 1-0 victory in May 2025, the 4-1 win in February 2024, a 0-0 draw in January 2023 and a 2-0 victory in November 2021. Newcastle therefore need to overcome both their current poor form and a difficult recent record in north London.
Arsenal Need an Immediate Response in the Title Race
Arsenal's title challenge has become much more difficult over the past two weeks. A 2-1 home defeat to Bournemouth was followed by a 2-1 loss away to Manchester City, allowing Guardiola's side to erase Arsenal's previous advantage and move above them after winning their game in hand at Burnley.
Both clubs now have 70 points and identical goal differences. With five league games remaining, Arsenal know there is almost no room for another mistake. Arteta described the situation simply before the Newcastle match: Arsenal need to concentrate on winning their next game rather than worrying about the psychological effect of losing first place. The title race has effectively become a sprint to the finish.
Bukayo Saka Returns for Arsenal
The biggest boost for Arsenal is the return of Bukayo Saka. Saka has been sidelined since the League Cup final defeat to Manchester City because of an Achilles problem, but Arteta confirmed on April 24 that the England winger would be back in the squad against Newcastle.
His absence coincided with a difficult period for Arsenal. Without Saka, the Gunners lost three of five matches in all competitions and surrendered their Premier League lead. His return gives Arsenal greater threat on the right, particularly in one-on-one situations. Even if Saka is not immediately ready to play the full match, having him available gives Arteta an important attacking option at a crucial point in the season.
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Riccardo Calafiori Is Also Back in Contention
There was further positive news for Arsenal with Riccardo Calafiori returning to contention. Arteta confirmed that the defender was available again, giving Arsenal more flexibility on the left side of defence.
However, Jurrien Timber remains unavailable, while former Newcastle midfielder Mikel Merino is also set to miss the fixture. Arsenal therefore have reinforcements returning, but they are still managing injuries during a demanding period that also includes a Champions League semi-final against Atlético Madrid.
Newcastle Enter in a Crisis of Confidence
Newcastle's situation is more concerning. Howe admitted before the match that his players had suffered a loss of confidence after a run of poor results. The Magpies have lost four consecutive matches in all competitions, including three straight Premier League defeats, and have fallen to 14th place.
Their most recent match ended in a 2-1 home defeat to Bournemouth, despite William Osula equalising during the second half. Adrien Truffert eventually scored the winner for Bournemouth, leaving Newcastle on 42 points. Howe acknowledged that several players were performing below their usual level and described rebuilding confidence as one of his main priorities before the trip to London.
Anthony Gordon Will Miss the Match
Newcastle will also be without Anthony Gordon. Howe confirmed on April 24 that the winger would miss the Arsenal game with a hip problem. Gordon's absence removes one of Newcastle's most dangerous transition players.
Against Arsenal, his pace would have been particularly useful because the Gunners are likely to dominate possession and push their defensive line high. Without Gordon, Newcastle lose one of their best outlets for quickly turning defensive situations into counter-attacks.
Tino Livramento Is Also Out
Tino Livramento will also miss the trip to the Emirates after suffering a thigh injury against Bournemouth. Howe said the injury was serious enough that Newcastle were unsure whether Livramento would play again before the end of the season.
His absence creates another major problem. Livramento's athleticism would have been valuable against Arsenal's wide attackers, particularly with Saka returning. Newcastle may therefore need to adjust their defensive shape or ask another player to operate in an unfamiliar position.
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Bruno Guimarães Could Be Important
One player Newcastle will need heavily involved is captain Bruno Guimarães. The Brazilian midfielder had recently been working his way back from an ankle injury suffered earlier in the year. His presence gives Newcastle greater control in possession and provides the technical quality required to play through Arsenal's press.
Newcastle cannot realistically expect to spend the entire match defending. If they are to take points from the Emirates, they need periods where Guimarães and Sandro Tonali can retain possession, slow Arsenal's momentum and move the team further up the pitch.
Arsenal's Tactical Approach
Arsenal are likely to control possession and territorial pressure. Arteta's side generally uses a 4-3-3 structure that becomes much more fluid in possession. Full-backs can move into midfield, while Martin Ødegaard and the other attacking midfielders look for spaces around the opposition penalty area.
Against Newcastle, Arsenal's main priorities should be to move the visitors' defensive block quickly and prevent the match from becoming a physical battle built around second balls.
Saka's possible return gives Arsenal an obvious one-on-one threat on the right. If Newcastle provide additional defensive cover against him, spaces could open centrally for Ødegaard and Arsenal's forwards.
Newcastle May Need a More Pragmatic Approach
Newcastle's usual identity under Howe is built around intensity, pressure and aggressive forward running. Their current injuries and poor form may require a more cautious approach at the Emirates. The Magpies could spend longer periods in a compact defensive shape and attempt to frustrate Arsenal before breaking forward quickly.
That approach has worked against the Gunners before. Newcastle's 1-0 victories in 2023 and 2024 were built around limiting Arsenal's high-quality chances and competing aggressively in central areas. The challenge this time is reproducing that defensive discipline without several important players.
Set Pieces Could Be Crucial
Set pieces are another area Newcastle must manage carefully. Arsenal have developed into one of Europe's strongest teams from corners and dead-ball situations in recent seasons. Since the beginning of 2023/24, they have consistently ranked among the Premier League's most productive teams from corners.
Newcastle possess plenty of height themselves, with players capable of defending aerial situations and posing a threat from their own corners. In a fixture that has averaged fewer than two goals across the previous 10 league meetings, one set-piece moment could make a major difference.
Can Newcastle Exploit Arsenal's High Line?
Newcastle's best opportunities may come when Arsenal lose possession. Arteta's side will likely commit several players forward because they need all three points. If Newcastle can win the ball and play forward before Arsenal recover their defensive structure, there could be space behind the Gunners' full-backs.
The absence of Gordon makes that task harder, but Newcastle still have players capable of attacking directly. William Osula gives them pace through the middle, while Harvey Barnes and Jacob Murphy can provide width depending on Howe's selection. Arsenal need to attack aggressively without losing control of those transition moments.
Arsenal vs Newcastle: Who Has the Advantage?
Arsenal enter as clear favourites. They have home advantage, six wins from the previous 10 league meetings and a title race that gives them enormous motivation. The return of Saka and Calafiori also strengthens Arteta's squad at exactly the right time.
Newcastle, by comparison, arrive after four consecutive defeats and without Gordon or Livramento. Howe has openly acknowledged that confidence has become a problem.
However, Newcastle's recent record against Arsenal shows why the Gunners cannot become complacent. The Magpies have beaten Arsenal several times over the past three seasons and know how to make this fixture physical, compact and frustrating. The first goal could therefore be crucial.
An early Arsenal breakthrough would force Newcastle to abandon some of their defensive caution. If the match remains level deep into the second half, the pressure of the title race could become increasingly important.
Arsenal vs Newcastle: What the Last 10 Meetings Tell Us
The recent Premier League record gives Arsenal the advantage, with six wins from the previous 10 meetings compared with Newcastle's three. Arsenal have also been especially strong against Newcastle at the Emirates and won the reverse fixture 2-1 earlier this season.
But recent Newcastle victories show that this has become a more competitive matchup than it once was. For Arsenal, the objective is straightforward: win and return to the top of the Premier League.
For Newcastle, the trip to the Emirates is an opportunity to stop a damaging losing streak and produce the type of performance needed to restore confidence before the final weeks of the season. With Arsenal fighting for the title and Newcastle desperate to rediscover their form, the April 25 meeting carries significant pressure for both sides.