Arsenal host Newcastle United in the Premier League this afternoon.
Pundit Mark Lawrenson has told BBC Sport that he thinks Arsenal will beat Newcastle United 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium this afternoon.
The Gunners head into the game after two away trips, which garnered just two points having drawn 1-1 at Southampton and 0-0 at West Ham United over the last week.
Arsene Wenger’s men now lie a whopping 19 points behind Premier League leaders Manchester City, and with the title seemingly already out of reach, the Gunners can do little more than just attempt to keep winning.
Rafael Benitez and Arsene Wenger
Fortunately for Arsenal, they appear to be facing the perfect team right now, as they host an out-of-form Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium.
Rafael Benitez’s men lost 1-0 at home to Everton on Wednesday night, just days after being beaten 3-2 by Leicester City, and have now lost seven of their last eight games, taking just one point in that run.
The Magpies are in desperate need of an upturn in form, but with Benitez’s squad desperately lacking quality, it’s hard to see where another win is coming from.
Ahead of today’s game, pundit Mark Lawrenson has told BBC Sport that he thinks the news of a takeover moving closer is good news for Newcastle, but noted that Benitez has been changing things with little success of late.
Lawrenson added that Arsenal aren’t in great form themselves, but is backing them to claim a thumping 3-0 win and pile on the misery for Newcastle this afternoon.
“The story at Newcastle is now as much about what is happening off the pitch as it is on it, because it would appear a deal for a takeover is imminent,” said Lawrenson. “That is good news, but the trouble is their results have been so bad they are in a situation now where they somehow have to find a way to stop the rot. Magpies boss Rafa Benitez has been trying to change things, without success. The outcome is still the same, and it is usually a defeat – they have picked up only one point from their past eight games and are sliding towards the relegation zone.”
“As for Arsenal, well they are wobbling a bit with two points from their past three games. But, if you are having a hiccup like that, the team you want to play next is the one on a run like Newcastle are – which is why I am going for a Gunners win here,” he added.
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