Former Blackburn Rovers striker Chris Sutton expects Newcastle United’s 14-game unbeaten run to end at the Emirates Stadium tomorrow night. Liverpool - albeit controversially - remain the only side Eddie Howe has tasted defeat to this season.
A crushing 98th-minute winner at Anfield in August sealed a result which, to this day, is the last time Newcastle were left empty-handed. However, that impressive run of form faces its stiffest test yet in North London.
Arsenal have stormed to the top of the Premier League, boasting a seven-point cushion over second-placed Manchester City. The Magpies are also winless at the Gunners since November 2010, when Andy Carroll’s header separated the two sides.
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Two of the top flight’s most in-form teams go head-to-head at the Emirates but ex-Chelsea man Sutton has backed Arsenal to emerge victorious. Defeat for Newcastle would leave champions City as the only side who could realistically catch Mikel Arteta’s men.
“I was wrong about both of these teams last time out,” Sutton told BBC Sport. “Newcastle were unlucky not to beat Leeds but I was miles out when I said Arsenal would lose to Brighton, although the Gunners had to weather a storm at the end of the game.
“Arsenal are seven points clear at the top of the table now, and they are coping with every problem that gets thrown at them. It will be the same again here. Newcastle are well organised defensively, but Mikel Arteta's side are so impressive going forward.
“Arsenal's other two league games in January are against Tottenham (away) and Manchester United (home). At the end of this month, we will have a much better idea about whether they can go the distance in the title race, but at the moment they look like they mean business.”
Sutton's prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Newcastle
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