Michael Owen states his prediction for Newcastle v Arsenal
Michael Owen is tipping Newcastle and Arsenal to share the spoils at St James' Park on Sunday afternoon
Michael Owen believes that Newcastle United will secure a “valuable point” against Arsenal in their Premier League opener at St James’ Park on Sunday afternoon.
The Magpies will start life under new manager Steve Bruce after the former Manchester United defender took over the reins from Rafael Benitez earlier this summer.
Arsenal have been the busiest top-six club in the summer transfer window after the Gunners brought in a host of new faces before Thursday’s deadline.
Unai Emery signed Lille winger Nicolas Pepe, Chelsea FC defender David Luiz, Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos, Saint-Etienne defender William Saliba, Celtic left-back Kieran Tierney and Brazilian teenager Gabriel Martinelli.
Arsenal shouldn’t lack firepower in Emery’s new-look team given that Pepe will be able to link up with strikers Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette at The Emirates.
But former Liverpool FC striker Owen doesn’t expect Arsenal to make a winning start to their Premier League campaign at St James’ Park in Sunday’s early kick-off.
“Arsenal have won twelve of their last 13 competitive against Newcastle United but this is a game I expect the Magpies to get something from at St James’ Park,” Owen told BetVictor.
“At the time of writing the Gunners have not yet signed a quality central defender this transfer window which has surprised me although there is still time for Unai Emery to address what I believe is an ongoing weakness in his squad.
“Steve Bruce has spent £40m on striker Joelinton from Hoffenheim and he is also optimistic of bringing in a couple of other new faces before Thursday’s window closes. I think the Magpies can take a valuable point.”
Arsenal finished in fifth place behind Chelsea FC and Tottenham Hotspur in Emery’s first season in charge of the north London side.
The Gunners lost 4-1 to Chelsea FC in the Europa League final in Baku in May to miss out on the chance of winning some silverware.
Arsenal appointed Emery as Arsene Wenger’s replacement last summer.
