The history books and recent form suggests that Newcastle United are going to be up against it on Saturday night versus Arsenal.
Eddie Howe and his players head to the Emirates Stadium, where an expectant Arsenal crowd will be eager for revenge after what happened at St James’ Park earlier this season.
The Gunners will go into the game in fine form, despite losing 1-0 in the Champions League on Wednesday night. They have been rampant in the Premier League, scoring 21 goals in their last five games to continue their title charge.
In contrast, Newcastle have been inconsistent. We are on a four-game unbeaten run in the league, yet look far from convincing.
On top of that, we head to a ground where our record is appalling.
Newcastle have not scored away to Arsenal since December 2014
Since it was built, Newcastle have only won once at the Emirates Stadium. That was in 2010, when Andy Carroll scored the only goal of the game with his head.
Not only do Newcastle struggle to win away to Arsenal, but they actually struggle to just find the net.
While 2010 was their last win at the Emirates, the Magpies’ last goal there was on December 13th 2014. It is just over nine years since a Newcastle player scored away to Arsenal.
Ayoze Perez was on the scoresheet that day, netting a header in a 4-1 defeat for Alan Pardew’s side.
Since then, Newcastle have played at the Emirates Stadium eight times without scoring a goal. That record desperately needs to come to an end on Saturday, and Eddie Howe will be boosted by the imminent return of Alexander Isak.
Perhaps he can be the answer to our Emirates goal drought, as Newcastle look to do the double over Arsenal.
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