Mikel Arteta has paid tribute to the 'incredible' job Eddie Howe has done at Newcastle United as the Arsenal boss prepares to face a fearless Magpies outfit tonight.
The last time Howe took his side to the Emirates, in his first physical game in the dugout as Newcastle head coach, the struggling visitors were languishing at the bottom of the table in November, 2021. Now, remarkably, Newcastle travel to the capital in third place.
Newcastle, like league leaders Arsenal, have only lost one Premier League fixture this season and Howe's side have taken points off Man City, Spurs, Manchester United and Chelsea along the way. These results have been no fluke.
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Rather than sitting off and paying the traditional big hitters too much respect, Howe wants his players to believe they can win any game - home or away. Newcastle's preparations, as a result, have focused on how the Magpies can hurt teams like Arsenal rather than unduly fearing what their opponents can do to them.
Arteta is well-aware of that change in mentality and the Arsenal manager knows Newcastle will not simply look to contain the in-form Gunners as the visitors have in years gone by.
"A very good team," Arteta told reporters. "Really well-coached. What Eddie has done in that short period of time, when you look at the numbers, is incredible. Big credit to him and the coaching staff.
"They have created a belief, a momentum, around the team that they play the same way against any opponent. It's going to be another big test but we will play at home in front of our crowd and are looking forward to it."
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