Real Football Man All of the Football, All of the time
It is fair to say that Arsenal’s purple patch of form has come to an end what with the North London outfit only managing two points from their last nine. That run of form or lack thereof has also seen them drop to seventh in the Premier League table.
Three straight wins have then been followed by three games without a win and the last two have seen a failure to win on the road. With that in mind Arsenal fans will no doubt be glad of the fact their beloved club will once again take to the Emirates this afternoon in search of victory.
Today they play host to a Newcastle side who have only picked up a draw in their last six matches and subsequently sit bottom of the Premier League form table (if we take the last six games in isolation) not only that but they have failed to win any of their last eight league outings, the second longest streak without a win in the division at present.
Arsenal have been accused of playing it safe on the road as of late with sideways passing being the most obvious thing on the menu as of late. They did well to get out of jail against Southampton last weekend when they needed Oliver Giroud to dig them out of a late hole and save a point.
While they were lacklustre in attack when they made the short journey to West Ham on Wednesday night, they may not have made the same defensive errors like they did on the South Coast just six days ago but they were toothless in attack against a West Ham side which has been particularly generous this season in terms of defence – although that said that is now two clean sheets in a row for the Hammers.
Arsenal lost their one hundred percent home record this season to Manchester United a fortnight ago but they will certainly fancy their chances of returning to winning ways on their own turf against a Newcastle side whose slide down the table is looking more and more precarious.
It is three straight defeats for the Magpies with seven goals being conceded in the process, the latest of those defeats came on Wednesday night when they were beaten by a Wayne Rooney strike at St James’ Park as Everton’s resurgence up the table continues.
The only glimmer of light for Newcastle as of late was a 2-2 draw away at West Brom, but when you take into account that the Baggies have failed to win in their last 15 Premier League outings it just sums up how bad both teams have been as of late.
Whether you can blame the ongoing backdrop of Mike Ashley trying to sell the club as the reason for Newcastle’s on pitch plight can be argued but it is certain that if and when the sale is completed then it will give Rafa Benitez’s side a much needed shot in the arm.
Not only that but it could most likely give Benitez some funds to bring in new personnel over the January transfer window in a bid to make sure that they stay on the right side of the relegation dotted line. Especially when you consider the fact that the teams below them will be looking to strengthen also.
The fact that there are only three points separating Southampton in 11th and Newcastle in 16th says it all as to how congested that pack of teams currently are but then again you do also wonder where the next win will come for the team from Tyneside.
And with that said I cannot see it formalising this afternoon when they make the long journey to North London, unfortunately for them I can only see it being a fourth straight defeat as Arsenal pick up a much welcomed first win in four league outings. Home win for me.
Here is what social media thinks will happen – you can still vote on the outcome
Can #Arsenal return to winning ways as they play host to #Newcastle
— Dan Tracey (@dantracey1983) December 15, 2017
