Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has spoken to the press ahead of their game against Newcastle United.
Very few could have predicted what Sunday’s game means for both teams, but with two games left in the Premier League season, there is still so much to play for.
Following elimination from the Champions League in the semi-final, Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal side are looking to secure second in the Premier League table.
On the other hand, Newcastle United are looking to leapfrog the Gunners into second and secure their place in the Champions League for next season.
Eddie Howe could be without Sven Botman and Joe Willock for the game, while he has also confirmed that Joelinton and Kieran Trippier will miss the trip to North London.
A point for the Magpies should be enough to secure a return to Europe’s top competition if Aston Villa drop points to Tottenham Hotspur on Friday night, but Howe will be keen to take all three points back to Tyneside to give them little to worry about for the final Premier League game of the season.
As Newcastle rally the troops for the penultimate game of the season, Arteta has sent a pre-match warning to the Magpies in their pursuit of a second-placed finish and has hinted at the return of one player many thought would not be back this season.
Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
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Mikel Arteta confirms Kai Havertz could return for Newcastle United clash
There is no doubt Arsenal will be going into this game with a chip on their shoulder. Newcastle have beaten them three times across the Premier League and Carabao Cup this season, with the Gunners failing to score in any of them.
Attacker Kai Havertz played in all three of those games, but he has missed a big chunk of the season with a hamstring problem.
Many believed his season was likely over following the injury, but Havertz was pictured in Arsenal training earlier this week, sparking questions over whether he was fit enough to feature again this season.
In his pre-match press conference, Arteta left Arsenal fans buzzing to hear that Havertz was in contention to play against Newcastle.
On whether Havertz will play, Arteta said: “We’re going to decide that tomorrow. He’s done certain parts of the sessions in the last two days. It’s with the medical staff and how Kai feels.”
Mikel Arteta sends warning ahead of Newcastle United clash
While Havertz, who joined Arsenal for £65m in 2023, could return to action soon, Newcastle are aiming to drown out the noise and get the job done at the Emirates Stadium like they did in January.
However, Arteta is eager to enact revenge on Newcastle following their embarrassing defeats to them earlier this season. With second place on the line, Arteta is keen to avoid further embarrassment.
Chris Sutton claimed Arsenal vs Newcastle is a grudge match, and Arteta looks to have the exact same thinking.
“It’s been a phenomenal effort from all of (the Arsenal players),” Arteta added in his press conference.
“It’s our chance to wrap up the Champions League and put ourselves in a really strong position for second place.”
“We’re going to need a big one because of how thin the margins are [Newcastle] and how clinical we have to be in front of them to score the goals.”
“I will give you my word that we have tried our very best. I love the incredible things that this team has done, again, in the circumstances that we have played in.”