Arsenal vs Newcastle United
The magic of the FA Cup still exists – just ask fans of these two sides.
For Arsenal, holders of the competition and winners a record 14 times, it has largely been their savour over the past decade with four triumphs in seven years.
For six-time winners Newcastle United, who they host in the third round on Saturday night, it is just as valued, indeed probably more so given their passionate fans have craved but lacked success for so long.
Ironically, given the Geordies last lifted the cup in 1955, manager Steve Bruce has actually come closer to recent success in the famous old tournament than his club.
A two-time winner as a player, he came within touching distance of lifting the trophy again in 2014 when he took his unfancied Hull side to Wembley — at one point even leading 2-0 and threatening to create some of the most memorable FA Cup highlights before the Gunners stormed back to win 3-2.
Now he admits facing them again is a case of deja vu for him and his back-room team.
Talking Points
This will be the first meeting between the teams this season – although Newcastle return in the league on January 18 – and the sides head into the tie in contrasting form.
They have shown spirit in the past week, including holding reigning champions Liverpool to a goalless draw on Tyneside.
Yet, they head to the capital without a win in six in all competitions, a run that included a defeat by Championship side Brentford in the League Cup quarter-finals.
That run of results has left them 15th in the Premier League, eight points above the relegation zone.
With a thin squad and Bruce admitting the club is only likely to consider loan moves in January, will he play a full-strength team or hand opportunities to players currently out of the side?
Certainly, Allan Saint-Maximin and Ryan Fraser are unavailable, while Jamaal Lascelles remains a huge doubt as he deals with the effects of coronavirus.
Isaac Hayden is available following a one-game suspension.
If this match had been played a fortnight ago, Arsenal’s form would have been similar to Newcastle’s.
However, since Boxing Day, they have won three league games on the bounce and manager Mikel Arteta will be keen to maintain the momentum.
Not only have they recorded three impressive wins, but they have also conceded just one goal in those three matches and look more solid at the back.
This weekend they are expected to make a number of changes with Alex Runarsson, Dani Ceballos, Cedric Soares, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Gabriel Martinelli and Joe Willock among those expected to start.
Will Newcastle go for it or make Premier League security a priority?
History
What a rich history these two clubs have, dating back to their first-ever meeting in 1893.
Traditionally, Arsenal have the edge with 79 wins to the Toon’s 67 and a further 38 draws.
However, in recent years it has been one-sided as Arsenal have actually won 14 of their last 15 meetings.
Last season, the Gunners registered a league double.
On the opening day, the Gunners triumphed 1-0 at St James’ Park with a Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang goal early in the second half.
The return fixture saw Arsenal romp to a 4-0 success with Aubameyang, Nicolas Pépé, Mesut Özil and Alexandre Lacazette all on target.
Their most recent FA Cup tie was in 2008 when an Emmanuel Adebayor double helped them to a 3-0 success.
Newcastle United have actually failed to score in 13 of their last 20 visits to Arsenal in the Premier League.
The only Newcastle victory before 2010 came in April 2018 when 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.
You have to go back to 2005 for the previous occasion Newcastle beat Arsenal on home soil.
Then a late Nolberto Solano goal won it on Tyneside.
Betting Tip
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Arsenal vs Newcastle United | Arsenal First Half Asian Handicap -0.50 @ 2.06 |
| January 10, 01:30 (GMT+8) |
Given the records, it’s anything but surprising that the SBOTOP FA Cup betting odds lean heavily towards Arsenal.
You have to spend fairly big to earn decent money on the hosts who are tipped 1X2 @ 1.50 and Asian Handicap -1.00 @ 1.86.
Newcastle are adrift 1X2 @ 5.00 and with Asian Handicap +1.00 @ 2.06.
The draw @ 4.30 may tempt some Newcastle optimists as surely the run of Arsenal domination in this fixture can’t go on forever. Likewise, Bruce has lost a career-worst 21 games against Arsenal. His teams have beaten the Gunners just twice in 28 meetings, with Birmingham in 2005 and Sunderland in 2009.
Goals can be aplenty in this fixture and, for a repeat, there are odds of total goal 2-3 @ 1.96, 4-6 @ 2.76 and over 3.00 @ 2.08.
If there’s to be a re-run of the league meeting last term – correct score 4-0 – you could earn a payday @ 23.00.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
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| = €20 (Highly confident) |
 = €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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