Kieran Trippier says Saturday’s 2-0 home defeat to Arsenal cannot be allowed to impact Newcastle United’s push for a Champions League spot.
The Gunners were victors in a frantic clash at St James’ Park courtesy of goals from Martin Odegaard and a Fabian Schar on goal, though the Magpies remain third in the Premier League, but with in-form Liverpool lurking and just four games remaining.
Eddie Howe’s men travel to face struggling Leeds United at Elland Road in Saturday’s early kick-off, and will come up against former boss Sam Allardyce in what promises to be another feisty occasion, with the Elland Road side back in the bottom three after wins for Nottingham Forest and Everton on Monday.
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Trippier, though, says it’s vital the Toon squad don’t allow the Gunners’ defeat to impact them in their quest to finish in the top four.
“We went for Arsenal, we created chance after chance but in the moments (for the goals) we could have defended better,” the skipper told Sky Sports. “The first goal, we should have got out quicker to stop it, there’s no excuses and we’ve got another massive game against Leeds now.
“It’s two teams going after it for different reasons. It was a high-tempo game and emotions are going to be high, we both want to win.
“It was a tough game, but now we move on and we’ve got to forget about the result and focus on Leeds, now. We’re in a good position, We can't let this result affect us. We've got four big games left now, we need to review this game and look at where we can do better and prepare for Leeds.”
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