Arsenal FC won the summer transfer window, most of us seem to agree on that, and now it’s up to them to turn those wins on paper into real victories in the table. It all begins with the Premier League season opener on Sunday, a visit to St. James’ Park to take on a Magpies side that was surprisingly solid against the big six last season.
Let’s take a look at the FYIs, fitness situation and match preview material for the 2019-20 season curtain raiser, a Sunday matinee on Tyneside.
For Arsenal, there are hopes that Frenchman forward Alexandre Lacazette will be fit to play after his having missed his side’s last two preseason friendlies due to an ankle problem. Club record signing Nicolas Pepe will be in contention, but most likely not for major minutes, after his having not seen much playing time in the summer preseason.
Meanwhile defender Hector Bellerin is a long term absentee due to the injury he suffered last season. Konstantinos Mavropanos (knock) and Rob Holding (knee) are also both out of contention for this one.
Deadline day signing Kieran Tierney won’t be ready time for this clash either.
Flipping over to the home side, DeAndre Yedlin (groin) and Dwight Gayle (calf) could both be in contention while Florian Lejeune (knee) and Jack Colback (groin) are out.
Arsenal FC Starting XI Prediction vs Newcastle United
Attack: Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang, Mesut Ozil, Alexandre Lacazette
Midfield: Granit Xhaka, Lucas Torreira, Dani Ceballos
Back line: Nacho Monreal, Calum Chambers, David Luiz, Ainsley Maitland-Niles
Goalkeeper: Bern Leno
Kickoff: Sunday, August 11, 2pm, St. James’ Park
Google Result Probability: Arsenal FC win 52%, Draw 26%, Newcastle United win 22%
Score prediction: Newcastle 2, Arsenal 2
Summer Transfer Window Analysis/Season Previews
Arsenal Tottenham City United Liverpool Chelsea
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, the author of “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry,” regularly appears on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
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