Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta
Mikel Arteta is not one for dishing out too many compliments - especially when it comes to rival Premier League teams. So when the Arsenal head coach lavished praise on Eddie Howe and Newcastle United in his pre-match media briefing, you know he means it.
The Magpies head to the Emirates on Sunday knowing that the winners will take second spot in the Premier League ahead of the final day of the season. A win would also all-but seal Champions League football next season for Howe and Co, but Arteta is is no mood to let anything slip, despite losing out on the title battle to Liverpool and seeing their Champions League hopes ended by PSG in the semi-final stage.
United have enjoyed their encounters with Arsenal this season, winning on all three occasions the two sides have met, with Howe's men yet to concede a goal to the Gunners. Arteta was full of praise for what Newcastle have achieved since Howe arrived at the club, and explained just why they are such a difficult side to play against.
"We're going to have to need a big one and be very clinical," the Spaniard said. "We know the qualities of Newcastle, we know the results that we've had lately against them and how thin the margins are with them and the fact that especially how clinical we have to be in front of them to score the goals.
"They are a very difficult team for any opposition. I think what Eddie, the staff and what they have done in the last few years is remarkable and they've been very, very consistent, very difficult to play against, like we've been.
"They dominate almost every aspect of the game. They are great when they have to attack a low block, and they have a lot of presence on the board. They need to go on set-piece, they need to go on transition, they need to defend a low block. The game has to get physical. They are ready to do that.
"The way they compete, they are smart. They try to take advantage of a lot of things like any good team. You have to dominate a lot of things. You know you're on the top of the table in this league."
Newcastle head to North London without the injured Kieran Trippier, Joelinton and Lewis Hall, while Sven Botman and Joe Willock remain doubts.