Newcastle United evening headlines: Saint-Maximin's importance, Clark offers timescales, Arteta's vow

A look at the latest Newcastle United headlines on Sunday, 15 May.

Allan Saint-Maximin's supposed drop-off in form is not supported by recently released statistics. The French maverick has been criticised for some of his recent performances, especially as goals and assists have dried up.

However, in several parameters, he has actually improved on numbers posted in the first half of the season. This includes successful dribbles per 90 minutes, and progressive yards carried per 90. These have increased from 4.38 to 5.64, and 141.0 to 163.3 respectively, showing that in terms of carrying the ball forward, Saint-Maximin has become more effective.

Even more pressingly, Newcastle's number 10 has created more chances on average per 90, going from 1.50 to 1.82, which suggests that he is doing his job but those in the middle are not converting. This coincides with a drop in both expected assists and actual assists.

Newcastle United go in against Arsenal on Monday night without learning a lot new following their 5-0 defeat at Manchester City.

It was always going to be tough but we all went into the game with one query and that was what the reaction of City would be after they lost to Real Madrid a few days. Well, they certainly answered that and in an emphatic manner too.

Against Newcastle then Wolves, with 10 goals rattled in across 180 minutes, City showed that's how you become one of the best teams in the world. They can overcome a setback very quickly and stop it becoming a slump. If Newcastle can develop that type of mentality moving forward then they won't have too many problems. You can certainly take a lot from Man City.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has responded to Antonio Conte's jibe at him by revealing that he is "fully