'Always a threat': Paul Merson highlights NUFC's danger man as he predicts who will win between Newcastle v Arsenal

Saturday sees a tough test for Newcastle United as title-chasers Arsenal come to St James' Park seeking revenge for last year's defeat. Kick-off is 12:30pm live on TNT Sports.

Both sides racked up victories in the Carabao Cup in midweek but have faltered in the Premier League lately, albeit Arsenal to a lesser extent than Newcastle.

Alexander Isak is back amongst the goals which couldn't have come at a better time. Hopefully he can put one or two past the club who fancy themselves as his next employer.

Eddie Howe has some big calls to make with his team selection after the changes he made last night against Chelsea worked perfectly.

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It's hardly surprising which way Paul Merson's prediction went

Paul Merson is backing his old side to come away with all three points on Saturday in his prediction for Sportskeeda.

"Arsenal are sitting back too much in games now. I know they have key players missing out due to injuries, but they should've attacked more against Liverpool last weekend. Even if a draw is still a fair result for them, Arsenal weren't as free-flowing as they were before and that's a problem. The old Arsenal were entertaining, now they're just sitting back and counter-attacking. If you do that every week in this league, you will get found out soon.

"I hope this change in strategy is only due to the players they are missing at the moment. After the trip to Newcastle, they face Chelsea away from home. These two games are crucial for the Gunners, they must find a way to win both!

"Newcastle beat Chelsea during the cup game in midweek, but I doubt they can back it up with another win on Saturday. Alexander Isak seems to have returned to form and Anthony Gordon is always a threat with his pace. But I feel they are too open at the back and good teams can always pick them apart. When they have all their players in good form, Newcastle are a proper team but that isn't the case at the moment. Arsenal win for me in this one!

"Prediction: Newcastle United 1-2 Arsenal"

The nerves are already kicking in ahead of Saturday

Newcastle v Arsenal is one of those games that have my nerves on edge ahead of kick-off and they're already building up now.

The win against Chelsea last night was a big comfort, as is the fact that we beat Arsenal at St James' Park last season and they've only just stopped crying about it.

Chris Sutton went with a draw and Merse has gone with a defeat, so it seems that it's a difficult one to call for the pundits with Merson probably relying a bit on his Arsenal bias.