Mikel Arteta admits Saturday’s trip to Newcastle represents a big test for Arsenal but after an impressive 2-0 win at St James’ Park in May he says his players must believe they can secure the three points that would take them back to the top of the Premier League standings.
While the Gunners did suffer a damaging defeat to the Geordies at the tail-end of the 21/22 campaign – a 2-0 loss that effectively ended our chances of finishing in the top four – the club’s record on Tyneside is actually pretty decent; we’ve only lost three times since 2005.
Arteta isn’t taking anything for granted. In fact, he knows all too well that Eddie Howe’s side – pumped up with Saudi money – are threatening to become one of the most dominant forces in England.
“Huge credit to him, I think he has transformed the club, the environment, the atmosphere and what he created in the team as well,” said Arteta of his opposite number.
“They have such a belief in what they do and that’s a huge compliment to him for what they’ve done.”
Asked what kind of a test he’s expecting tomorrow, Arteta continued: “A big one. It’s one of the toughest places to go and win.
“We’ve done it and there is nothing new to it, we know what we’re expecting. It is very clear what they do, what their strengths are, and where the opportunities are for us. We will try to take the game where we want.”
On the bear pit atmosphere generated by the Geordies in the last 18 months, he added: “When you play football, you want to play in those atmospheres. Like going to Seville, you know what you are going to get.
“It’s an incredible privilege to play in those grounds, you have to embrace the moment, enjoy it and go for it because it’s worth it. These are the arenas you want to be tested in.”
Arsenal travel to the North-East knowing a huge improvement is needed on Wednesday’s 3-1 defeat at West Ham. The Gunners were dumped out of the Carabao Cup following a dispiritingly below-par performance that left Arteta seething.
Reflecting on where his side went wrong and what they have to get better, he said:
“Every time you have a defeat it takes a few days to get over, but the full focus now is on Newcastle. There are obviously things that we had to do much better in the game, especially the way we competed and the way we conceded the goals.
“I don’t think the scoreline reflects what happened in the game at all but we should have done much better.
“Every game is very different to the previous one and you have to be at it. If you take your foot off the gas in any action in this league, against this type of opponent, you get punished.
“It’s as simple as that so you have to give the standards the maximum level if you want to keep winning and winning.”
Having made a record-breaking start to the last campaign, there’s been lots of talk in recent weeks about how Arsenal match-up this time around. At times the football has felt more ponderous with gung-ho attacking sacrificed for more defensive solidity.
“It’s very early and we have to go game by game,” said Arteta.
“We are in a really good position and we have to continue to be there. Tomorrow we have a really tough match against Newcastle but these are the game that you have to play when you want to be at the top.”
“Belief, and then performances,” he added when asked how his side continue to impress on the road.
“First of all, be so convinced that you can go to Newcastle and fully believe you are going to win the game.
“It has to be really clear what you have to do to achieve that. Then obviously quality and talent to get the performance that we need and that’s down to the players.”
Need to thump Newcastle and get the winning mentality back on track. Punish the weak. Would love to see us come out with that intensity from last season for the first 10 minutes and put two past them. COYG!!!
I know what to expect, bent officials, time wasting, and shirtless drunk geordies, and the only stadium in the league which doesn’t allow away fans a proper section of the ground…
Well we beat them there last season, we shall do it again. Fuck magpies forever.
(except for Joe Willock, don’t fuck him by any means. (but also do make sure he doesn’t score. (or if he does make sure it’s at the end when we’re 3-0 up, then he can score. (but only if Raya’s in goal, if it’s Ramsdale I’d rather he keeps a clean sheet))))
It won’t be ramsdale
You never know red cards can happen, injuries can happen… we’ve seen it all haven’t we. Apart from tactical goalkeeper substitutions, we haven’t seen that. Still waiting on that Mikel, you promised us.
In other news apparently a movie came out this year called Magpie Funeral https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/magpie_funeral
Let’s give them one tomorrow.
They just isolate the away fans in Pluto.🙄
We will definitely win this game if the players are up for it. Last season we produced one of our best performances and we won. It all depends on who wants it more.
Newcastle play differently at home. I don’t think we’ll see a low block and trying to slow the game down; I think they will press. It’s a game we will miss Partey’s ability to receive the ball deep and move it quickly into attack. But I don’t think Burns and Trippier will be able to handle Saka and Martinelli. (I know we all hate Trippier, but he is really an intelligent player and excellent passer, but he cannot defend one v one or match any good winger for pace). So, that means the centre halves have to help, and there’ll… Read more »
Pity Jesus can’t save us in this one… He’d terrorize their defense.
Dan burn will still be allowed to kick lumps out of saka and tripper will foul martinelli at every opportunity because they lack the skill to handle talented players.
And the referee is the atrocious Stuart Twatwell, who only ever makes decisions in favour of the home team (except at Arsenal). So yellow cards for us if we breathe on someone, but no punishment for their back line repeatedly breaking every law in the book.
did mr atwell have a moonlighting gig in the uae or in riyadh this week?
That’s Mr Twatwell to you