'Destroyed' - Arsenal pundits agree with Paul Merson ahead of Newcastle United clash

Mikel Arteta will be hoping his Arsenal team can bounce back on Saturday night when they host Newcastle United in the Premier League.

After beating title rivals Liverpool 3-1, the Gunners enjoyed back-to-back away thumpings at West Ham and Burnley. However, the North London club were goal-shy on Wednesday night and paid the ultimate price late on.

Galeno's stoppage-time strike for Porto has given the Portuguese club a slight advantage heading into the return leg at the Emirates Stadium next month. Arsenal will be keen to push this to the back of their minds though when they continue their title challenge against the Magpies.

Eddie Howe's men currently sit eighth in the Premier League after an injury-riddled campaign and seem unlikely to make a return to the Champions League next season. Ahead of the 8pm kick-off at the Emirates Stadium this Saturday, Premier League pundits Paul Merson, Chris Sutton and Mark Lawrenson have made their predictions.

In his Sportskeeda column, the former Gunners midfielder wrote: «I don't think their European setback will affect Arsenal this weekend. Newcastle have been inconsistent recently but have managed to remain unbeaten in their last five matches.

»They're scoring goals, but they're conceding far too many goals as well. They cannot go to Arsenal this weekend and defend like that — they'll get destroyed.

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«Newcastle's defence is struggling at the moment, but they don't have much to play for. I like watching them play because they open games up, but they don't want to do that against Arsenal — it could get messy.

»Bukayo Saka could have a field day in this fixture, and I expect Arsenal to win this