- Arsenal have won their last four Premier League meetings with the Magpies; their best ever run against them in the competition.
- Newcastle remain in the top-half of the table despite losing nine of their last 12 Premier League matches.
- The Magpies have scored just 10 Premier League goals in 2014, fewer than any other side.
With a win over a Newcastle, Arsenal will enjoy a four point lead on Everton in the quest for the Premier League’s final Champions League spot.
It shouldn’t be difficult. The Magpies packed it weeks ago, beginning with their lackluster 0-3 home loss to Everton. That began what would become a month straight without a goal in the league - losing to Southampton away 4-0, Manchester United at home 0-4 and Stoke City away 1-0. Last week Alan Pardew’s men finally managed to score but they promptly coughed up two goals to lose 2-1 to Swansea City, Newcastle’s fifth straight loss.
The pathetic run of form has been the result of a number of elements, chiefly the sale of Yohan Cabaye to Paris Saint-Germain in January. Losing their talisman was tantamount to losing their soul and the Magpies made no attempt to recover. Of course, Alan Pardew’s headbutt on Hull City midfielder David Meyler didn’t help the situation and the manager was handed a seven-match ban. This evening marks his long awaited return to the dugout.
Despite the tragic form, Newcastle has somehow managed to remain in the top half of the table meaning safety in next year’s Premier League is assured. This fact should keep the Magpies underperforming at their very best and ensuring Arsenal will have no problem picking them apart.
Since the 0-3 loss to Everton three weeks ago, the Gunners have looked sharp, beating West Ham and Hull City to give themselves a fist-hold on the 4th spot. With the Toffees all but throwing away their Champions League hopes in Saturday’s 2-0 loss at Southampton, Arsenal is relatively free to coast in the gate knowing that winning two of their final three matches will be enough to secure top-tier European football.
The Gunners enter this afternoon’s match (3:00pm ET on NBCSN and online via Live Extra) in decent shape with only Thomas Vermaelen a doubt with a hamstring strain. For Newcastle, a broken kneecap for Papiss Cisse rules him out while Luuk de Jong (ankle) and Moussa Sissoko (hamstring) are both late fitness tests.
What They’re Saying
Newcastle manager Alan Pardew: “I will sit down a little bit more, but I still will be on the touchline,” he said. “It’s important that the team sees I’m there - we are a team and I am part of that. I have thought about my situation going forward and I think I will be better for it.”
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger: “He will try to control himself much more. You feel frustrated when you are not close to your team physically because you are used to it and you feel you still have a level of intervention. Maybe it is purely subjective, but it exists in your mind.”
Predictions
Newcastle are on vacation. Bet the farm on Arsenal.
