Dark arts and defending are likely to be the order of the day at St James' Park on Sunday afternoon, as Newcastle United and Arsenal square off in an intriguing Premier League contest.
Both Eddie Howe and Mikel Arteta oversaw straightforward EFL Cup third-round wins in midweek, but neither outfit are where they want to be top-flight wise after five outings in 2025-26.
Having the tables turned on them by Arteta's old employers Manchester City, Arsenal experienced role reversal of the unexpected variety at the Emirates last weekend, as the Gunners and the Sky Blues reunited almost exactly one year on from their pulsating 2-2 draw at the Etihad Stadium.
On that occasion, Arteta's 10 men did their utmost to shut up shop before John Stones levelled in the dying embers, and this time around, Pep Guardiola ordered his men to sit with their backs against the wall, only for Gabriel Martinelli to delightfully lob Gianluigi Donnarumma in injury time.
While a point vs. Man City can never be regarded as a bad result, there was a palpable air of frustration around the red half of North London at a gilt-edged missed opportunity, as Guardiola recorded his lowest-ever possession percentage as a manager and Arsenal failed to truly capitalise.
The critics of Arteta's supposed conservative lineups and tedious tactics are already out in force, especially after Arsenal also failed to blow Port Vale away in the EFL Cup third round in midweek, but Eberechi Eze and Leandro Trossard's strikes were enough for a routine 2-0 win.
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