To put it simply, on paper Newcastle United should lose to Arsenal at the Emirates on Monday night - and convincely.
The stats are not in United's favour -
- Arsenal have won their last six home Premier League games against Newcastle United , scoring 18 goals and conceding just five.
- Newcastle have lost 11 of their last 12 Premier League matches against Arsenal, winning the other 2-1 at St. James’ Park last season.
- Only against Manchester United (28) have Newcastle lost more Premier League games than against Arsenal (27).
- This will be Newcastle’s 15th consecutive Premier League game on a Monday away from home – of the previous 14, they’ve won two, drawn one and lost 11.
- Arsenal have won their last nine Premier League home games.
- Newcastle have lost 17 of their last 23 away Premier League games in London (W3 D3) and are winless in their last six visits to the capital (W0 D2 L4).
- Arsenal’s Mesut Özil has had a hand in four goals in four Premier League games against Newcastle United (3 goals, 1 assist).
- Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez has taken just two points in his seven away Premier League games against Arsenal (P7 W0 D2 L5).
But then no-one expected United to beat Man City back in January but they did win 2-1, and that was arguably the changing point of the season.
A win for United would all but secure their top-flight status for next season, and then allow work to begin on securing Benitez's future.
On this week's The Everything is Black and White Podcast preview, Newcastle United writer Chris Waugh and host Andrew Musgrove look ahead to the game at Arsenal.
You can listen to the podcast below or through iTunes, Spotify or most podcast providers.
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