Christian Atsu admits that Saturday’s clash against Arsenal will be a tough game but believes his Newcastle United side is improving with every passing game.
United have only won one game in the last 12 but the Ghanaian winger, who only return from injury earlier this month, believes that there are signs of positivity in the Magpies’ performances despite the poor form.
“We know Arsenal will be very difficult - the same as Everton,” he told NUFC TV. “Every game is very difficult for us but we need to keep working hard and try to keep a clean sheet.”
United were beaten 1-0 by Sam Allardyce’s Everton as Rafa Benitez struggles to pull the side out of dismal run of form. It was Atsu’s first start in more than five weeks after he suffered injury while on international duty. And despite the defeat, the 26-year-old, felt the Magpies performed okay against his former side.
“I believe we created a lot of chances, we could have scored more goals and won the game, but that’s football. We conceded, they all went back and we’ve tried to break through them. In the second half, I think they were more defensive, but in all we were the better team and unlucky that we lost.
“From what I have seen, I think we are improving – especially in this game, and even in the Leicester game, we have improved. They didn’t create more chances than us – like I said, we were unlucky. I think defensively we were better and offensively we were good, so that is a positive thing for the team.
“We keep fighting and working hard. The next game is the most important.”
Atsu replaced Jacob Murphy in the side, and he know he will have a battle on his hands to keep his place in the team but believes he is getting better with every game.
“I’m getting better and I’m trying to get back to my best. I’m trying to improve my fitness but more important is trying to work hard to improve the team.”