Newcastle v Arsenal
Saturday 21st March, 15:00
Newcastle are another side who are looking to bounce back to form this weekend, having tasted defeat at the hands of Manchester United and Everton in their last two outings. Newcastle will hope that they will be spurred on by their ever-passionate crowd, and will want to deliver all three points for the home faithful.
At the back, Newcastle will be hoping that Daryl Janmaat can continue his fine season with another excellent display this weekend. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index can reveal that he has covered a squad best 315.6km already this term, winning 77 tackles with a 75.5% win ratio. He has also racked up 73 clearances and 63 interceptions in defence and going forward he has completed a squad best 18 crosses and holds a squad highest six assists.
In the middle of the park, Moussa Sissoko is having a top season and is the perfect man to sit in front of the Newcastle back four. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index can reveal that he has actually given away more fouls (42) than any other squad member, which shows his understanding of when to break up the play and how he reads danger. He has also won 29 tackles, with a win ratio of 64.4%, made 16 interceptions and completed a squad best 568 passes in the opposition area.
Up top, Papiss Cisse has been in great form for the Magpies, as demonstrated by the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. The Newcastle striker has bagged 11 goals so far this term at an average of one every 92.1 minutes. He has hit the target 18 times this season, converting 61.1% of those opportunities into goals. He is 33/10 to score anytime with 888sport.com.
Arsenal are one of the league’s form sides at the moment, having won their last five on the bounce, and eight of their last nine matches. The Gooners will hope that they can make it six wins on the bounce, with a victory that could see them leapfrog second place Manchester City.
Arsenal possess such an array of attacking talent that it is difficult to know where to begin. One logical place is with their midfield, which includes the likes of Aaron Ramsey and Santi Cazorla, but it is perhaps the Spanish playmaker who is having the most impressive season.
According to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index, Cazorla has covered a squad best 276.15km so far this term, racking up seven goals and seven assists, whilst also completing a squad best 568 passes in the opposition area. There are two main targets that he will look to supply, in the form of Olivier Giroud and Alexis Sanchez.
Giroud has netted 11 times already this season, hitting the target 20 times and converting 55% of those shots into goals. Sanchez has scored 13 times and has hit the target with 74.8% of his 54 shots on goal, according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. Sanchez’s work rate is also impressive and he actually holds a squad best 54 tackles won, and it is that hunger and desire that will see him pose the biggest threat. He is 10/7 to score anytime with 888sport.com.
Newcastle v Arsenal Possible Lineups
Newcastle: Krul; Taylor, Janmaat, Williamson, Colback; Gutierrez, Sissoko; Ameobi, Cabella, Perez; Riviere
Arsenal: Ospina; Chambers, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs; Coquelin, Ramsey; Ozil, Sanchez, Walcott; Giroud
Newcastle v Arsenal Match Facts
- Arsenal are unbeaten in the last eight Barclays Premier League games against Newcastle, winning the last six in a row.
- The Gunners are the only team ever to not win a Premier League game after being 4-0 up at half-time, when they drew 4-4 with Newcastle at St James Park in February 2011.
- Newcastle have failed to score in their last three Premier League home matches against the Gunners.
- Olivier Giroud has netted six goals in five Premier League appearances against the Magpies.
- Olivier Giroud has scored six and assisted three in his last eight Premier League appearances.
- Newcastle have won just one of their last five Premier League home matches (W1 D2 L2).
- St James Park has seen the joint-most goals netted in the final 15 minutes of matches (13 along with the Emirates).
- Alexis Sanchez has scored the first goal of the game more often than any other Premier League player this season.
Facts compiled from Yahoosport
Newcastle v Arsenal Prediction
A 1-2 win for the away side.