Paul Merson and Chris Sutton can't agree on Arsenal v Newcastle United prediction

Paul Merson and Chris Sutton cannot see eye to eye on how Arsenal will fare against Newcastle United this afternoon.

The Gunners are hoping to close the gap on the Premier League's early frontrunners Liverpool and Manchester City with victory at St James' Park, following their midweek success against Preston North End in the Carabao Cup.

Eddie Howe's side have suffered an indifferent start to the new season, winning three, drawing three and losing three from their first nine games. Defensive injuries have halted their progress, with Arsenal hoping to capatilise in Saturday's lunchtime kick-off.

Former forward Merson spoke to this week and believes Mikel Arteta and his men have more than enough firepower in order to end their hoodoo in the north-east.

“This is a huge game for Arsenal. It’s one where you look at and think, ‘Arsenal must win this one’. Liverpool face Brighton & Hove Albion this weekend and they already beat them in the Carabao Cup in midweek, so we’re expecting the same result again. You also expect Manchester City to beat Bournemouth so Arsenal cannot afford to slip up.

“Arsenal are sitting back too much in games now. I know they have key players missing out due to injuries, but they should’ve attacked more against Liverpool last weekend. Even if a draw is still a fair result for them, Arsenal weren’t as free-flowing as they were before and that’s a problem. The old Arsenal were entertaining, now they’re just sitting back and counter-attacking. If you do that every week in this league, you will get found out soon.

“I hope this change in strategy is only due to the players they are missing at the moment. After the trip to Newcastle, they face Chelsea away from home. These two games are crucial for the Gunners, they must find a way to win both!

“Newcastle beat Chelsea during the cup game in midweek, but I doubt they can back it up with another win on Saturday. Alexander Isak seems to have returned to form and Anthony Gordon is always a threat with his pace.

“But I feel they are too open at the back and good teams can always pick them apart. When they have all their players in good form, Newcastle are a proper team but that isn’t the case at the moment. Arsenal win for me in this one!”

Merson’s Prediction: Newcastle 1-2 Arsenal

READ MORE:

READ MORE:

Sutton, meanwhile, think the Gunners may struggle away from home as they have done in the past this season, tipping a different scoreline to Merson.

“This is a bit of a grudge match after what happened when Arsenal came to St James' Park last season and lost to a controversial Anthony Gordon goal,” he began speaking to .

“Newcastle are on a run of five league games without a win, but they have been a little unlucky during that spell. They are creating plenty of chances, but just not scoring enough of them.

“I worry about Arsenal in the final third too, though, because they are wasteful as well. The Gunners really need a win here to cling on to the tail of leaders Manchester City, but my gut feeling is that Newcastle will get something out of this game, and it has got a draw written all over it.”

Sutton's prediction: Newcastle 1-1 Arsenal