Newcastle defender, Christian Atsu, is hoping that his side can keep a clean sheet against Arsenal on Saturday afternoon.

Atsu admits that while the trip to the Emirates will be another tough challenge for Newcastle, they’re aiming to keep a clean sheet. In other words, the 25-year-old is hoping for another Arsenal slip-up.

”We know Arsenal will be very difficult – the same as Everton,” Atsu told NUFC TV.

”Every game is very difficult for us but we need to keep working hard and try to keep a clean sheet.”

The Magpies have only won four games this season, all towards the beginning of the campaign, and they’ve been defeated 10 times – more than any other team. They’ve also conceded 26 goals. Therefore, if Arsenal can’t score against them, we’re in big, big trouble.

kos newcastle
LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 02: Laurent Koscielny (R) of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with his team mate Per Mertesacker (L) during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Newcastle United at Emirates Stadium on January 2, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Over the last week, the Gunners have drawn against Southampton and West Ham, and despite having 33 shots in total, we only scored one. Therefore, you can’t really blame Atsu for being optimistic about keeping a clean sheet.

That means that after dropping four points, we really need to kick on now if we’re going to have any hope of finishing in the top four in May.

We simply can’t afford to allow Newcastle to keep a clean sheet. We can’t draw again. We need to win.

Last time the Magpies came to the Emirates was January 2016 before they got relegated. Arsenal narrowly won 1-0 and while a win is a win, three points is three points etc etc, I think most Gooners need an emphatic victory to make up for what we’ve had to endure the last week.