With four points from three matches, the "Arsenal in crisis" articles have already gone berserk and the only way that Arsene Wenger and his band of haven't-quite-been-able-to-find-their-attacking-rhythm-yet-men can put an end to those stories is by putting on an assured performance in their next English Premier League game – against Newcastle United at St. James' Park on Saturday.
The Gunners got off to the worst possible start this season, with an insipid performance leading to a 2-0 loss to West Ham. While they bounced back with a 2-1 win at Crystal Palace, that momentum was halted again by a 0-0 draw to Liverpool, leaving them winless at home so far this season.
Considering the struggles at the Emirates, it will probably be a good thing for Arsenal to play away, even if they don't come more tougher than St. James' Park. Having said that, Arsenal do have a pretty good record against Newcastle, be that home or away, and Wenger will know if his attacking line can find their mojo, it could prove to be a good day out.
"We want to do well at Newcastle, but it's always very, very, very tight and very committed there because the crowd is always behind their team," the Arsenal manager said.
"They have just come out from a good result at Manchester United so it's important that we prepare well and we give absolutely everything to win this game before the break.
"We have always done very well away from home. Last season and the season before, it was the last game of the season that we had to win. There has always been something big at stake, but we like pressure."
With the transfer window closing on Tuesday, Wenger will want to go into those final few days of "Ok let's get a world-class player somehow" in buoyant mood, and the key for Arsenal will be taking their chances.
Against Manchester United, Newcastle, yet to taste victory in the Premier League this season, put in a good rearguard action, while looking dangerous on a couple of occasions on the counter. While Steve McLaren's men will not be quite as defensive at home, this match will be decided by how well Arsenal penetrate past that inevitable couple of banks of four.
Team news: Newcastle United: Sylvain Marveaux, Curtis Good and Emmanuel Riviere remain on the sidelines, but McLaren could receive a huge boost in Moussa Sissoko. The France international midfielder has missed the last couple of games with a groin injury, with the team set to take a late decision on his fitness. Papiss Cisse could also feature after missing the midweek Capital One Cup win over Northampton through illness.
Arsenal: While Danny Welbeck, Jack Wilshere and Tomas Rosicky remain out, the main concern remains the fitness of the two central defenders – Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny. Arsenal really struggled at the back in the first half of the Liverpool match after Wenger was forced into playing Gabriel and Calum Chambers, and while there was a considerable improvement in the second 45, Wenger will hope to have at least one of them back, if not both.
Mertesacker is unlikely to feature, though, with the Germany international still struggling with illness, while Koscielny did train on Friday.
Where to Watch Live
Get the Video Highlights of the Match, including that red card, HERE
Arsenal vs Newcastle United is scheduled for a 5.15 pm IST (12.45 pm BST, 7.45 am ET) start. Live TC coverage of the English Premier League match at St. James' Park will be on Star Sports 4 and Star Sports HD4, while all the EPL action can also be watched via live streaming online on Starsports.com and Hotstar.
Watch the Newcastle vs Arsenal match live in the UK on BT Sport, while all the action can also be caught live online on Watch BT Sport or via the BT Sport App.
Viewers in the US can watch Arsenal vs Newcastle live on NBCSN, with the live stream option on NBC Sports Live Extra. Australia viewers can catch the EPL game live on Fox Sports, while the online live streaming options are on Fox Sports On Demand and Foxtel Play.
