The Premier League season concludes this Sunday – the only area of contention still to be settled is who will finish in the top four, and which London side will miss out on Champions League football and end up in fifth spot.
Chelsea are guaranteed a berth due to their superior goal difference over Tottenham, however Spurs can still creep into fourth should Arsenal drop points at Newcastle.
The odds in this fixture will be close, and the last day of the season usually throws up some unpredictable results. Despite playing away from home, the Gunners will be favourites to get three points according odds given by many online betting mobile applications and therefore sow up a Champions League spot.
The Emirates Stadium side have been in good form of late, winning seven and drawing two of their last nine Premier League games.
Newcastle United have had a below-par season, and were only assured of their Premier League status when Arsenal beat Wigan on Tuesday night. Alan Pardew’s squad is full of ability and potential, however an influx of new, predominantly French, players who have taken time to bed in at St James Park, has resulted in some disappointing results.
Arsenal have won seven out of the last ten matches between the sides, however Newcastle have made it difficult for their London-based opponents in a number of games recently. In the last two encounters on Tyneside, Newcastle have held the Gunners to a 0-0 draw, and come back from four goals down to draw sensationally 4-4.
Newcastle have nothing to play for, but Pardew will urge his side to finish the season strongly. The Geordies can finish as high as 10th, and will be keen to put negative results at home, like the 6-0 drubbing by Liverpool, out of memory with a win here.
Arsenal will be keeping an eye on what Tottenham are doing; Andre Villas-Boas’ men play Sunderland at home and are only a point behind their north London rivals. The Gunners must better Spurs’ result, but Arsene Wenger will send his team out to win the game and put Champions League qualification in no doubt.
There will be pressure on Arsenal, in a ground that has been difficult for the best teams to come over the last number of seasons. Wenger will look to his senior players to lead by example, and the visitors can expect to have to weather a storm in parts of the game.
The finest of margins can decide who finishes in fourth and who drops to fifth, and there is no room for error for the Gunners here. Should Newcastle get the first goal it will really put Arsenal to the test to see if they have what it takes to keep their composure under pressure.
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