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Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.
Have your say on Arsenal's performance
What did you make of Newcastle's display?
Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies
Image source, Getty ImagesMikel Arteta makes just one change to the side that lost to Manchester City last week. Ben White comes in for Cristhian Mosquera. There's good news for the Gunners too as Bukayo Saka returns to the matchday squad for the first time since the Carabao Cup Final defeat in March following an Achilles injury.
Arsenal starting XI: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie, Rice, Zubimendi, Odegaard, Eze, Madueke, Havertz
Subs: Arrizabalaga, Mosquera, Saka, Jesus, Martinelli, Gyokeres, Trossard, Lewis-Skelly, Dowman
Bruno Guimaraes starts as Newcastle United make five changes for the trip to the Emirates.
The Newcastle captain lines up from the off for the first time since February after returning to action as a substitute in the 2-1 defeat against Bournemouth last week following a spell out.
Nick Pope, Dan Burn, Joe Willock and Jacob Murphy have also been recalled as head coach Eddie Howe looks to end a four-game losing streak in all competitions.
Newcastle starting XI: Pope, Miley, Thiaw, Botman, Burn, Guimaraes, Tonali, Ramsey, Murphy, Osula, Willock
Subs: Ramsdale, Trippier, Hall, Wissa, Barnes, Elanga, Woltemade, A.Murphy, Neave
Image source, Getty Images
There are five games in the Premier League on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.
Fulham v Aston Villa (12:30)
Liverpool v Crystal Palace
West Ham v Everton - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra
Wolves v Tottenham - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live
Arsenal v Newcastle (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live
Kick-off times 15:00 BST unless stated
Follow all of the action and reaction here
You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play West Ham v Everton" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Arsenal v Newcastle", for instance.
Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds
I did not think Arsenal's defeat at Manchester City last week spelled the end of their title hopes and watching City struggle to put Burnley away on Wednesday must have been a boost for their players.
I know the result still knocked the Gunners off the top of the table but that was not the kind of performance that suggested Pep Guardiola's side are just going to march to the title from here.
However you want to view Arsenal's recent form, they know they are still in the race - especially because goal difference could decide the title.
I've been in this situation myself in a title race and, while I am sure both managers will say that it is just about making sure they win their own games, you cannot ignore the fact that the season starts now and goal difference could be important.
That's why, if I was an Arsenal player sat at home watching City against Burnley, I would have been thinking that 1-0 is OK for us.
They are level now, on points and goal difference, and the Gunners still have Burnley to play, but at home.
So, it is there for them, but they have to get past this game first.
Newcastle have given Arsenal a good game when they've met in recent seasons and there has been a bit of needle between the two sides.
Right now, though, Eddie Howe's side have a few injury problems on top of their dismal form.
They have dropped off their usual level and they look a bit flimsy to me. It feels like a good time to play them and I don't think this will be as close.
Sutton's prediction: 2-0
Arsenal have the chance to move three points clear of title rivals Manchester City if they can beat an out-of-form Newcastle at the Emirates on Saturday (17:30 BST). BBC Sport analyses the key talking points ahead of the match.
Gunners seek return to winning form
Arsenal's 209-day run at the top of the table came to an end on Wednesday night as Manchester City finally leapfrogged them on goals scored.
With the sides locked on 70 points and with an identical goal difference of +37, this looks set to be one of the tightest title races in history.
With City not in league action this weekend due to their FA Cup commitments, the Gunners have two home games before Pep Guardiola's side play again on Bank Holiday Monday, so could open up a six-point lead.
But to do that they must address their shocking run of form. After losing just three of their first 49 matches of the season in all competitions (W37, D9) they have lost four of the last six and have suffered back-to-back Premier League defeats for the first time since December 2023.
Mikel Arteta will be glad to see the arrival of May next week. Since he took charge of the Gunners they have taken just 40 points from 27 games played in April and a whopping 18% of all top-flight defeats the club have suffered under him have also been in the fourth month of the year.
Despite their recent wobbles Opta's supercomputer still has the Gunners as favourites to win the title at 65% and they will be buoyed by their excellent league record against Newcastle.
Howe under pressure as poor run goes on
Newcastle are in worse form than Arsenal having lost eight of their last 11 league games. In fact, only Tottenham and Burnley have lost more top-flight matches than Newcastle in 2026.
This relegation form has led to serious questions being asked of head coach Eddie Howe. He maintains he is still the right man for the job and that he will "fight to the end", but it will be interesting to see how much credit he has left in the bank as a result of leading them to their first domestic trophy for 70 years last season.
Legendary striker Alan Shearer cast doubt on whether Howe will still be at the helm next season and lambasted the players for their performance against Bournemouth. "They were terrible," he said on his podcast. "They chucked him under the bus, the players. It is a tough situation, a tough summer for Newcastle coming up. They have got some big decisions to make. As I am sat here, I don't see Eddie in charge of Newcastle next season, unfortunately."
Mitigation does comes in the form of key players being unavailable due to injury and the team Howe put out against the Cherries was their youngest starting XI in a Premier League game since May 2005, having an average age of just 24 years and 191 days.
The Geordies have no respite as they travel to the Emirates, a ground where they have managed just one league win in 17 attempts and none in the last 13. Only Stoke City, who have lost on all 10 of their visits, average fewer points per game than Newcastle do at the Emirates since it opened in 2006. They have taken a total of just five points from 51 available and have scored just one goal on their last nine trips.
A matter of weeks remain to define an entire season of graft.
Supporters have spent all their energy, players are running on empty and the rewards that remain on offer tantalise.
So as Manchester City and Arsenal slug it out, BBC Sport asked two of our fan writers - Emily Brobyn for City and Laura Kirk-Francis for the Gunners - to predict the league games that remain.
Manchester City: Everton (a) - Win; Brentford (h) - Win; Bournemouth (a) - Draw; Crystal Palace (h) - Win; Aston Villa (h) - Win.
End-of-season total - 83 points
Arsenal: Newcastle (h) - Win; Fulham (h) - Win; West Ham (a) - Draw; Burnley (h) - Win; Crystal Palace (a) - Win.
End-of-season total - 83 points
I really believed at one point that this was a season too soon for this evolving, young Manchester City squad. Nobody is more surprised that City are still in the title race than me - a period of sloppy draws has been followed by powerhouse performances against Arsenal twice, Liverpool and Chelsea.
But I believe the final games of the title race could still spring surprise results. City have the momentum, but their positive display at the Etihad will give Arsenal belief.
I think there could be a final day shootout - winner takes all. It could be down to whoever scores the most between now and the end - and whoever is brave enough to feel the fear, but embrace that energy and turn it into their driving force.
I say City may just edge it on goal difference.
Emily Brobyn is regularly on BBC Radio Manchester - find all their Man City audio here
Image source, Getty ImagesArsenal: Newcastle (h) - Win; Fulham (h) - Win; West Ham (a) - Draw; Burnley (h) - Win; Crystal Palace (a) - Win.
End-of-season total - 83 points
Man City: Everton (a) - Draw; Brentford (h) - Win; Bournemouth (a) - Draw; Crystal Palace (h) - Win; Aston Villa (h) - Win.
End-of-season total - 81 points
My hope for Arsenal's first league title in 22 rests on David Moyes. I have deluded myself into thinking that the Everton manager, under whom Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta played for six years, will take points off Manchester City as a tribute and a favour to his former captain.
Beyond that, Arsenal should feel galvanised by the performance at Manchester City last weekend, with the error from goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma perhaps also providing a glimmer of hope that there are flaws within this Manchester City side. Or maybe just one flaw, but that could be all that's needed.
On paper, Arsenal have a slightly easier run-in, but the momentum is very much with Manchester City. Faith and fear both demand you believe in something you cannot see. Today, I choose faith (for the next few hours at least).
Find more from Laura Kirk-Francis at the Latte Firm podcast, external
George Booth
BBC Sport journalist
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Newcastle at the Emirates (kick-off 17:30 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Arteta said Bukayo Saka and Riccardo Calafiori will "probably" return to the matchday squad after both being ruled out with injury in the 2-1 defeat to Manchester City.
On the title race, Arteta said his team's energy and belief has "raised" and that the "clarity" in what Arsenal want to achieve "cannot be better".
"Five games to go. Four weeks, two big competitions to play for and everything to play for. If somebody had told us at the beginning of the season we would have taken it - we are so excited," added Arteta.
On the title potentially coming down to goal difference: "We don't know. We are just talking about a lot of possibilities. Then, depending on how the situation is, then you can start to think about something else. You have to put everything into it. Those five games start tomorrow. Everything you have, you have to put it on the table and you have to make it happen."
On winning the title with Rangers in 2003 on goal difference: "I took the penalty and we won the league by one goal difference. It doesn't get better than that. One of the best feelings I had in my career. When you win it, it is even more special."
On Opta's supercomputer predicting the Gunners to have a 65.36% chance of winning the title: "Win tomorrow, game one win and then we'll be much closer. I have belief in our players and our people and the willingness in what we want to achieve."
Arteta said, "It is so clear what is at stake" as the Gunners aim to return to the top of the Premier League if they beat or draw against Newcastle. "The energy has been so good and the weather helps as well."
The Arsenal boss said Declan Rice "has been absolutely outstanding" this season and that the north London side are "blessed" to have him.
On Chelsea sacking Liam Rosenior: "It is always sad to see a colleague leave a club. We know the scrutiny and demands on our jobs. The only thing that matters is if we win a lot of matches."
Listen to full match commentary of Arsenal against Newcastle on BBC Radio 5 Live
Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news
Got a question about Arsenal? Get in touch here and we'll seek answers from our experts
Manchester City are in pole position to sign Nottingham Forest and England midfielder Elliot Anderson, 23, despite interest from clubs including Arsenal and Manchester United. (Sky Sports), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column
Image source, Getty ImagesWe asked for your views on whether Mikel Arteta is capable of releasing the handbrake from this Arsenal side as they look to beat Manchester City to the title after falling behind their rivals on goals scored.
Here are some of your comments:
Chris G: It's no good releasing the handbrake when it's obvious we are on an uphill climb. All our downhill momentum has disappeared because the handbrake was on in the first place. Despite the relatively successful performances that put us in a superior position, it looks as though that just flattered to deceive and the April demons that have scuppered our chances before are still travelling with us.
Stefan: Despite losing, Sunday's game showed us this Arsenal team can play positive, attacking football. I'm hoping Arteta and the team will bring that same attitude to the remaining games and, if nothing else, keep the pressure on City.
David: To me, this style of play is temporary. When he has had the opportunity to play attractive football, Arteta has. But the current state of the Premier League (which Arteta has a part in creating), favours this very duel-focused, organised football. There's a broader conversation about how that makes the league more competitive, but that's a separate point. Arteta has essentially crafted a form of football that is as sustainable as possible, and that comes at the cost of beauty and some physical exhaustion. I sincerely doubt it will remain as such, a return to technical security looks imminent, especially with the way the league is headed. Could the football be better with better forwards? Sure. But ultimately, it is very functional and effective, so long as the standards don't drop. Once this team gets the winning monkey off their back, they will loosen right up.
Chris B: Arteta has to go for it. Arsenal have shown this season that they are a better team when they are allowed to play with the shackles off. I think they got to a point this season where they decided safety first was better to protect their lead at the top.
Lew: We have thrown away too many points for not being ruthless enough, side-to-side passing and wasted chances. Our captain has been missing most of the season and too many players are out of form, but that said, there is no excuse to be so far clear and bottle it again! It could come down to goals, so score as many as possible, go nuts. City will win all their remaining games, so show some fight, that you actually want this, or forever be known as the maybe men who bottled it four years in a row.
Ali: For the love of all things Arsenal, please let the players play. Build-up play has been laboriously slow and low-risk ball retention put on a pedestal. Let the flair players have their moments and don't be so critical if we lose the ball from time to time by trying to play between the lines more quickly. Gyokeres has been starved of service all year.
Nicholas: Play only Rice or Zubimendi, 45 mins each. More attacking players, send the ball long, quick, and see what Gyokeres can really do!! We are playing too slowly, too risk-averse. Get Zidane to manage next year.
Image source, Getty ImagesIf Arsenal are going to win the title, certain things have to improve.
One of them is winning games without winger Bukayo Saka, who has missed the Gunners' last five matches across all competitions with an Achilles injury.
Arsenal have a 73% win ratio (16 wins in 22 games) and average 2.36 points per game with Saka in the starting XI this season in the Premier League.
Without him, their win percentage drops to 45% (five wins in 11) and their points per game is 1.64.
The Gunners are hopeful their 'Starboy' will return in time for the Champions League semi-finals against Atletico Madrid with the first leg next Wednesday in Spain.
But with or without Saka, Arsenal's form under Mikel Arteta in April has got to get better.
Under Arteta, Arsenal's lowest points per game ratio in a Premier League month (5+ games played) is in April, winning 40 points in 27 games (1.48).
And 18% of all their league defeats under Arteta have come in April (nine out of 51).
When they face Newcastle on Saturday, April simply cannot be allowed to get worse.
Arsenal have missed multiple chances this season to extend their lead at the top of the table.
They could have moved 12 points clear at one stage. But back-to-back defeats by Bournemouth and Manchester City mean the Gunners have now won just six of their past 13 league games and momentum has swung towards Guardiola's side.
Talking on the BBC's Wayne Rooney podcast, the former striker said his manager Sir Alex Ferguson "used to always say keep trying to score because it might be decided on goal difference".
However, despite the swing in momentum, Rooney said: "I'd probably still have Arsenal as slight favourites.
"Arsenal have been trying to nick 1-0 wins but they need to change that mindset and go at teams and win by three or four goals."
Image source, Getty ImagesThroughout the season, Mikel Arteta's side have been described by many as pragmatic and dogged in their quest for a first Premier League title in 22 years. And for much of this campaign, it looked like their stubbornness in defence was going to lead them to glory.
However, the iconic phrase coined by Sir Alex Ferguson of "attack wins you games, defence wins you titles," might go out the window for the Gunners and their title rivals, Manchester City, for the remainder of this season.
Pep Guardiola's side have closed the gap and their 1-0 win over Burnley saw them leapfrog Arsenal to the top of the league with both level on points and goal difference, but City sneaking pole position through goals scored.
And both know they have their own fate in their hands. If they win their remaining games by large margins, then they have the chance to get their hands on the title in the most dramatic way possible - by goal difference.
With three goals fewer and an attack that has struggled to create for much of the season, many would assume that Arsenal would lack the firepower to keep pace with a City side that are riding the crest of a wave at the moment.
Coming up for the Gunners this weekend is Newcastle United and they have the chance to reach 100+ goals (currently on 99) against an opponent for the fifth time in their Premier League history after also doing so against Everton, West Ham, Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa.
But, despite their poor form this season, Eddie Howe's side have been playing on tight margins recently with their last nine Premier League matches either won (three) or lost (six) by exactly one goal. So it seems they will at least dig in and not let Arteta's side run up their goal numbers.
After losing back-to-back league games, Arteta will want his side to recover their form and give the Emirates Stadium crowd something to shout about with nerves creeping into their game in recent weeks. And a victory by a couple of goals could be just the tonic this side needs to inject some life into their title bid once more.
Is it possible for this Arsenal attack to compete with the level Manchester City have shown recently? And is Arteta brave enough to release the handbrake and chase the goals needed?
Image source, Getty ImagesAfter beating Burnley on Wednesday, Manchester City moved above Arsenal to the top of the Premier League table for the first time since the opening week of the campaign.
Former Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha told BBC Radio 5 Live: "Not many Arsenal players would have expected Burnley to get a result today, but if you are an Arsenal player or fan, you would take a 1-0 loss for Burnley.
"Arsenal play Burnley in a few weeks and they will probably not be as wasteful with their chances as City with so much on the line. Before you know it City are chasing Arsenal."
The Gunners have scored 63 goals while Man City have netted 66 this league season.
"I don't think psychologically it matters that much," Onuoha added.
"Now they have played each other, there is no longer this talk about the title decider in April. You have your five games, they have their five games.
"If you do well enough and win your games, the league title could very much be Arsenal's. They have to back themselves. The fact this only finished 1-0 to City when they had 28 chances, maybe this is the boost they need to turn their form around."
Arsenal are keeping an eye on 21-year-old Turkey midfielder Arda Guler, who could be tempted to leave Real Madrid due to uncertainty over manager Alvaro Arbeloa's future. (Caught Offside), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column
Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter
Image source, Getty ImagesManchester City are now just about everyone's favourites to win the Premier League.
They have all the buzz words on their side; momentum, experience and belief. They 'know' they can win the title because many of the group have done it before, Arsenal only 'hope' they are still capable.
City's win over Arsenal provides the ultimate dream sporting scenario. They both could well end the season on the same points total now and that provides the conditions for a total change in attitude.
If either team is 2-0 up with half an hour to go, they will still have to go at it full throttle for more goals to increase their goal difference.
This is an alien concept these days because players have to rest and recover, so time wasting, constant substitutions and controlled play are the order of the day when the game is ostensibly won with 20 minutes left to play.
But these rules no longer apply and I can't wait to see the outcome.
Winning 3-0, you might still send your goalkeeper up for late corners to get another goal - how brilliant will that be?
No City or Arsenal player will feign injury, take the ball into the corner or take an eternity organising a corner or a free-kick. They will have to keep it moving and keep trying to score more goals.
As a kid, I was brought up with this attitude at Celtic. The phrase was "score an early goal and press on regardless". For years this was considered quaint and almost naive - but from here on in, it is absolutely necessary.
Sign up to read more from Pat Nevin in his Football Extra newsletter
Sami Mokbel & Nick Mashiter
Senior football correspondent & football reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesFormer Arsenal technical director James Ellis is a serious contender to become Bristol City's new sporting director.
Ellis has been locked in talks with the Championship side over the past fortnight with a view to taking the leadership position at Ashton Gate.
Discussions are accelerating, with a move to Bristol for Ellis understood to be at an advanced stage.
However, Sheffield Wednesday have also taken an interest in Ellis in recent days as they look to revamp their leadership team before next season.
In an interview with BBC Sport last week, Ellis spoke of his desire to return to football following his sudden departure from the Emirates Stadium earlier this year.
"I feel I have unfinished impact and objectives I would like to achieve," he said
"I have been through rejection, education, coaching, scouting, senior leadership all in this and would like to carry on."
Ellis joined the Gunners from Fulham in 2021, and last summer was promoted to the role of technical director.
Prior to that he had been head of recruitment - playing a key role in identifying several of the squad battling to win the club's first Premier League title since 2004.
He left the club in February following a restructuring of the football leadership team.
Arsenal and Barcelona have emerged as possible destinations for 31-year-old Portugal midfielder Bernardo Silva when he leaves Manchester City at the end of the season. (ESPN Brazil - in Portuguese), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column
Laura Kirk-Francis
Fan writer
Image source, Getty ImagesIt's been fascinating to watch the fanbase try and make sense of Arsenal's defeat to Manchester City on Sunday.
As the internet and the algorithms demand, we must decide whether this was the final straw in a slowly collapsing title challenge, or the performance that will actually see Arsenal over the line in a few weeks time.
This was probably Arsenal's best performance in weeks if not months. The margins were slim, and if Ebereche Eze's shot had actually snuck inside the post, or if Kai Havertz had converted his last minute free header in the box, we might be talking about a different story. Lots of fans are buoyed by this performance. It has provided them hope.
I have to confess, hope has not found me just yet. This has been a very difficult few weeks as a fan. At the risk of hyperbole, I feel like I've gone through grief. Within every waking hour I experience an anger - that my team might have let me down like this - or a depression, where I have been genuinely close to tears. Then there's acceptance.
Arsenal are still top of the league and in the semi-final of the Champions League, so from an outside perspective it might seem bizarre.
But for me, the defeat at Manchester City, for all of the positives, will be filed into the evidence box for the case against Arsenal. The case is that there are many, many elite things about this team but it's still just not quite enough.
Moreover, when in direct comparison with the Manchester City juggernaut, the Gunners fell short. Asking Arsenal to win away at the Etihad was always going to be a big ask…but if not now, when?
Ahead of the meeting with Newcastle on Saturday, I am hopeful that I will have found my way out of the doom that I currently feel. It isn't over. Until then though, I remain haunted by the near misses of that game, and the potential for another near miss of an entire season.
Find more from Laura Kirk-Francis at the Latte Firm podcast, external
Image source, Getty ImagesArsenal might still be missing a standout player to win games that are decided on "fine margins", says The Observer's Rory Smith.
"There is a legitimate argument to say that instead of signing Noni Madueke and Viktor Gyokeres, should Arsenal have gone for Alexander Isak?" he told BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club.
"That has always been the 'what if' around Arsenal this season.
"I think the club were spooked by what happened to Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard a couple of years ago. They knew they were reliant on individuals to stay fit.
"That hasn't been the case this season, they have lasted the course. It's just that in those really fine margins, maybe they do need someone who is on the amount of money Erling Haaland is on.
"It's just that you can't do that and have that depth."
Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer and listen on BBC Sounds
