Most Newcastle fans will regard this match as a hiding to nothing. Accept the inevitable, flush it out of their systems and go again in the final home match of the season against Cardiff on Saturday and instead focus their ire on Sky for scheduling the match at the start of the working week. After all, we've become numb to the pain of defeat after watching their side take 13 points from a possible 48. Facing an Arsenal side, who haven't lost on home soil in 16 Premier League games and have scored in all but two of their matches at the Emirates Stadium this season - the goalless draws with Chelsea and Manchester United - doesn't inspire confidence that our chronic losing streak will be eviscerated in North London. Motivation is the key for Pardew after his troops cut disconsolate figures as they trudged off the turf at St James' Park 10 days ago and squeezing a performance of out of his players when they're at a low ebb is a prerequisite for any manager, even if leaving North London with a point is as unlikely as returning to Tyneside with a maximum haul. With Remy, Debuchy and Sissoko back to give the squad a healthier complexion and an added goal threat, Arsenal haven't kept a clean sheet in their last five matches, we may manage the feat of scoring in two consecutive games - something we've managed just once in 2014. Still, it doesn't offer enough encouragement to suggest that this Newcastle team could spring a surprise smash-and-grab and derail the Gunners' pursuit of a top-four finish for the 17th year in succession.
