Source: SKY_Sports
Gutierrez given goal challenge
Jonas Gutierrez has been challenged to add goals to his game to inspire Newcastle to Premier League survival.[LNB] The 26-year-old Argentina international instantly established himself as a crowd favourite at St James' Park with a fine debut at Manchester United on the opening day of the season.[LNB]However, seven months on, he is still awaiting his first goal in a black and white shirt after opening his account for his country in a 2-0 friendly victory over France last month.[LNB]Now, caretaker Magpies boss Chris Hughton is hoping the winger can break his duck on Tyneside and there could hardly be a better time for him to do it than Saturday evening's Premier League clash with Arsenal.[LNB]Hughton said: "If you look at his all-round game, Jonas is a very spirited player who covers a lot of ground and will create, and of course scoring goals is always a part of that make-up.[LNB]"He would be the first to admit that he would like to be adding more goals to his performances."[LNB]Newcastle head into the game looking for only their second league win in 12 attempts and having slipped to within a hair's breadth of the relegation zone.[LNB]Indeed, they could well find themselves inside it by the time they kick off and a first win on home turf since December 21 - when the Gunners' North London neighbours Tottenham were defeated 2-1 - could hardly come at a better time.[LNB]Hughton spent more than 20 years at Spurs as both player and coach but memories of the derby rivalry with Arsenal will be put to one side this evening.[LNB]He said: "I spent an awful lot of time at Spurs and that was the big derby game but, when you come away from that, all your focus is very much on here.[LNB]"There isn't that relationship between Newcastle and Arsenal that I have been used to, so I am fully focused on getting a result for Newcastle and no other thoughts."[LNB]Having welcomed skipper Michael Owen back to action for last weekend's 1-1 draw at Hull, Hughton will be able to call upon Kevin Nolan and Habib Beye this time around as the former returns from a three-match ban.[LNB]Midfielder Danny Guthrie, too, was close to making the squad after recovering from a torn hamstring but will now have to wait until Chelsea head for Tyneside in a fortnight's time.[LNB]Hughton said: "It was just a judgment call. He has been out for a long time.[LNB]"He has been back training - he has done, probably, seven training sessions - and we just felt he needed a little bit more."[LNB]
