Newcastle need to stop Arsenal’s prolific passer

Newcastle United travel to The Emirates this evening to face Arsenal in the Premier League. The Gunners’ man in form is Tomas Rosicky, with the Czech international the fifth most prolific passer in the Premier League. Here’s that statistic and nine other Arsenal v Newcastle stats…

• Two goals from Robin van Persie kept the momentum firmly behind Arsenal in their last Barclays Premier League game, a 2-1 win against Liverpool.

• Thomas Rosicky covered the most ground for Arsenal in that game with 6.26 miles, and Arsenal will be looking to him to cover for injured pair Mikel Arteta and Aaron Ramsey, who have been Arsenal’s engine this season covering 149.4 miles and 148.5 miles each respectively.

• Rosicky has completed 419 passes in his opponent’s half this season, averaging one every 2 mins 30 seconds, the fifth most prolific passer of the ball in the Premier League (discounting players who have completed fewer than 100 passes).

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• Wojciech Szczesny performed heroics at the other end of the pitch, producing an incredible double penalty save from Dirk Kuyt and a string of great saves.

• Szczesny has made 125 saves so far this season, making him the 8th busiest goalkeeper in the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index.

• Newcastle earned a 1-1 draw against bitter rivals Sunderland in a fiery North East derby in their last game.

• Yohan Cabaye covered the most ground for Newcastle in that game with 5.53 miles.

• Cabaye has won 73% of tackles this season, winning 41 overall and contributing two goals and four assists.

• Shola Ameobi scored the equalizer in that game to keep Newcastle in with a chance of European football next season.

• Ameobi’s goal was his second of the season, coming from 21 shots at goal with 62% on target, and he has also contributed 3 assists.

Data courtesy of the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index, the official player rating index of the Barclays Premier League.