The top four drama will finally reach its conclusion this Sunday as North London giants Arsenal and Tottenham battle one last time to guarantee a place in next season’s Champions League.
Arsenal pay a visit to St James’ Park where they face a Newcastle side who have something to celebrate for after they guaranteed their survival in England’s top tier football for another season. The Magpies however have had a very disappointing season especially considering their antics in last season’s edition of the Barclays Premier League, when they nearly broke in the top four and finished the season just five points shy of a top four finish.
The Newcastle side which was expected to grow from strength to strength instead suffered a peculiar decline and after repeatedly flirting with relegation this season, the Toons finally confirmed their stay in England’s top flight football by defeating Queens Park Rangers last week.
Their victory against the London side was only their second in ten games in all competitions and it can be easily be concluded that they are not in the best of runs. They face an Arsenal side who are very hungry for success, after failing to land any silverware in yet another season, the Gunners are desperate for a top four finish, a feat they have achieved in each of the last 16 seasons.
Arsenal’s recent record on the other hand is the complete opposite of their counterparts, the Gunners have not tasted defeat in their last 10 outings following their defeat to arch rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
But it would be naïve for Arsenal to take anything for granted at this stage. Newcastle’s performances this season have been well below par but it is evident that they have quality in abundance. The side boats the likes of Yohan Cabaye, Moussa Sissoko, Hatem Ben Arfa and Demba Cisse all of whom can make a real difference in tomorrow’s game.
Even though they have had a ruinous season, Newcastle will want to wrap up the campaign on a high note and give their fans something to cheer about. Newcastle would probably also want revenge for the 7-3 thumping they received at the hands of the Gunners in the reverse fixture played at the Emirates in December last year.
The highlight of the scintillating encounter was Theo Walcott, who capped up a brilliant performance with a hat-trick, whereas Demba Ba scored a brace for the Toons but was unable to inspire a comeback. Unfortunately for Newcastle they no longer have the services of the star striker who now plays his trade at Chelsea, Theo Walcott on the other hand has been on a good run scoring a goal each in his last three games for Arsenal.
Whereas Arsenal have done remarkably well against Newcastle playing on home soil, they have not fared that well in away matches against Newcastle. In their previous two encounters, Arsenal have failed to register a win over their counterparts in away games, which will surely be a worry for Arsenal fans.
What probably still haunts Arsenal and their fans is their away trip to Newcastle in the 2010/2011 campaign when the world witnessed one of the most stellar comebacks in Premier League history. Arsenal seemed to have the result done and dusted by scoring four goals past Harper in the first 30 minutes of the game. A controversial red card to Abou Diaby in the 50th minute gave Newcastle the advantage and they made full use of it.
The rampage began in the 68th minute when Joey Barton struck home a penalty to give the Toons a glimpse of hope, the hope was turned into reality when Cheik Tiote struck a long ranger to bring the scores level to 4-4 and rounded up a truly remarkable game for the neutral.
Arsenal certainly cannot afford any more slip ups and will be hoping to avoid a repeat of that performance. The Gunners will fight tooth and nail for the final Champions League spot but the Magpies will be ever ready to spoil their party.
The Newcastle side which was expected to grow from strength to strength instead suffered a peculiar decline and after repeatedly flirting with relegation this season, the Toons finally confirmed their stay in England’s top flight football by defeating Queens Park Rangers last week.
Their victory against the London side was only their second in ten games in all competitions and it can be easily be concluded that they are not in the best of runs. They face an Arsenal side who are very hungry for success, after failing to land any silverware in yet another season, the Gunners are desperate for a top four finish, a feat they have achieved in each of the last 16 seasons.
Arsenal’s recent record on the other hand is the complete opposite of their counterparts, the Gunners have not tasted defeat in their last 10 outings following their defeat to arch rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
But it would be naïve for Arsenal to take anything for granted at this stage. Newcastle’s performances this season have been well below par but it is evident that they have quality in abundance. The side boats the likes of Yohan Cabaye, Moussa Sissoko, Hatem Ben Arfa and Demba Cisse all of whom can make a real difference in tomorrow’s game.
Even though they have had a ruinous season, Newcastle will want to wrap up the campaign on a high note and give their fans something to cheer about. Newcastle would probably also want revenge for the 7-3 thumping they received at the hands of the Gunners in the reverse fixture played at the Emirates in December last year.
The highlight of the scintillating encounter was Theo Walcott, who capped up a brilliant performance with a hat-trick, whereas Demba Ba scored a brace for the Toons but was unable to inspire a comeback. Unfortunately for Newcastle they no longer have the services of the star striker who now plays his trade at Chelsea, Theo Walcott on the other hand has been on a good run scoring a goal each in his last three games for Arsenal.
Whereas Arsenal have done remarkably well against Newcastle playing on home soil, they have not fared that well in away matches against Newcastle. In their previous two encounters, Arsenal have failed to register a win over their counterparts in away games, which will surely be a worry for Arsenal fans.
What probably still haunts Arsenal and their fans is their away trip to Newcastle in the 2010/2011 campaign when the world witnessed one of the most stellar comebacks in Premier League history. Arsenal seemed to have the result done and dusted by scoring four goals past Harper in the first 30 minutes of the game. A controversial red card to Abou Diaby in the 50th minute gave Newcastle the advantage and they made full use of it.
The rampage began in the 68th minute when Joey Barton struck home a penalty to give the Toons a glimpse of hope, the hope was turned into reality when Cheik Tiote struck a long ranger to bring the scores level to 4-4 and rounded up a truly remarkable game for the neutral.
Arsenal certainly cannot afford any more slip ups and will be hoping to avoid a repeat of that performance. The Gunners will fight tooth and nail for the final Champions League spot but the Magpies will be ever ready to spoil their party.
