When Arsenal won 1-0 at St James’ Park on the opening day of the season the suggestion the two sides would have the same number of points after 25 games would have got you strange looks in Newcastle and north London alike. And yet through the departure of Unai Emery, the brief interim tenure of Freddie Ljungberg and now the arrival of Mikel Arteta, the Gunners have won just five more times in the league to languish in 10th, ahead of Steve Bruce’s surprisingly resilient side only on goal difference. Arteta has drawn five of his seven league games in charge and Arsenal have drawn 13 from 25 in total: after the extravagance of a winter break in Dubai you get the feeling the Emirates crowd will accept nothing less than all three points on Sunday. Paul ChronnellSunday 4.30pm Sky Sports Premier LeagueVenue Emirates Stadium Continue readingreadfullarticle
