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Alexis Sanchez
Arsene Wenger is confident Alexis Sanchez will have a better season than the last after allaying fears of a burnout Getty

Newcastle host Arsenal in an early kick-off at St James' Park on 29 August, Saturday, as the Gunners look to secure their second win of the season.

Where to Watch Live

Kick-off is set for 12.45pm BST. Live coverage of the game will be on BT Sport 1 and BT Sport 1 HD.

Overview

Newcastle will come into the game following a convincing performance at Old Trafford against Manchester United, where they held off the Red Devils to a 0-0 draw and had many opportunities to win the game themselves on the counter. Aleksandar Mitrovic hit the bar for the Magpies and Papiss Cisse failed to get the ball on target late into the game as United threw everything at them for the better part of the contest.

Tim Krul who made eight saves for the Tyneside club, was helped by some profligate finishing by the Red Devils. However, manager Steve McClaren will take immense pleasure from this contest and will be hoping that his team can put in a similar performance at home against the Gunners, with more drive going forward.

Meanwhile, every game post their disastrous start to the season is turning into a do or die situation for Arsene Wenger, who has been put under major pressure for his failure to secure a single signing thus far in the window following their purchase of Petr Cech in July. The Gunners were beaten 2-0 at home by West Ham and were held to a 0-0 draw against Liverpool on 24 August, giving the Gunners a major headache over their home form, where they failed to score a single goal in their last five attempts thus far.

However, their performed admirably against Crystal Palace, securing their first win of the season in a 2-1 scrap at Selhurst Park. The Gunners should have been out of sight by half time but were undone by their profligacy in front of goal, with Alexis Sanchez forcing an own goal in the second half to take the Gunners home.

What the Managers Say

Steve McClaren: "I bet any manager sat here now would say, "I wish I'd had the last 16 years he's had". To have what he has won and played the kind of football that he's played while moving to the new stadium. He's won the FA Cup in the last two years and I think he deserves a lot more credit than what he's been given. Anyone can criticise and we're all there to be shot at, but will it bother Arsene Wenger? Would it bother me after 16 years and achieving all that? No. I know him well enough to know he's got his philosophy and he knows what he's doing. Many people don't think he does, but he does. I find it difficult for anyone who's not been in that seat to really criticise."

Arsene Wenger: "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. 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."

Betting odds (By 888Sport)

  • Newcastle Win: 47/10
  • Draw: 35/11
  • Arsenal Win: 7/11

Team News

Newcastle United:

Possible XI: Krul; Janmaat, Coloccini, Taylor, Haidara; Anita, Colback, Wijnaldum, Perez, Obertan; Cisse

Arsenal

Possible XI: Cech; Bellerin; Gabriel, Koscielny, Monreal; Coquelin, Cazorla; Ramsey, Ozil, Sanchez; Giroud

Arsenal FC