Newcastle United are on the cusp of breaking into the Champions League for the second time in three seasons.
Mikel Arteta believes the traditional big six debate is over and nobody can be assured of Champions League qualification next season.
Newcastle United travel to the Emirates to take on an Arsenal side they have beaten three times this season. Most notably, a pair of 2-0 victories booked the Magpies a spot in the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool.
Another victory would see Newcastle leapfrog the Gunners into second place with one game to spare. That is the prize at play for a club that last finished as Premier League runners-up in 1997.
Mikel Arteta declares ‘big six is over’ as Newcastle United aim to gazump Arsenal
Mikel Arteta weighs in on big six debate
Newcastle’s rise, coupled with Aston Villa ascending and Manchester United’s and Tottenham Hotspur’s decline, has fuelled debate about the traditional big six. Many have suggested that the dominance has ended and the power balance in the division has shifted.
Arteta has claimed the competitiveness of English football means there can be no Champions League guarantees next season. He told reporters before the Newcastle clash: “I think so (whether the traditional big six is over), the level has gone up again. The experience of the last two months.
“We've had discussions as coaches, the margins to win or not win in the Premier League is incredible. You ask any manager at the end of the season, ‘Can you promise we will be in the Champions League next season?’ I don't know who would say yes. The sustainability, the stability to be in the best possible place as a squad, is key.”
Arsenal challenging Newcastle United for second place
The Arsenal boss also set his sights on finishing second - a feat Newcastle would love to achieve. Arteta added: “We're going to need a big one (performance), be very clinical. How thin the margins are with (Newcastle) and how clinical we have to be in front of them to score the goals.
“It's our chance as well to finish in second place. As well as a way to say thank you to our supporters for making the effort to travel everywhere.”
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Champions League race not over - Eddie Howe
Howe dismissed suggestions the Champions League race is done at his pre-match press conference. He said: “No, it's not done. and I think the picture can change game to game.
“We need to be really focused on our next game and try and win it, which we will do and we have done this week. I think the preparation's been good, the focus has been there from the players.
“The outside noise will always be swayed by how you've done and it's positive - but nothing's achieved until it's achieved, so we have to be really single-minded in that and not get distracted.”
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