Eddie Howe has insisted Newcastle will do “whatever it takes to win” as they head into a Premier League clash with Arsenal which has proved explosive in the past.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta was furious after last season’s 1-0 defeat at St James’ Park, sealed by Anthony Gordon’s controversial strike, which survived three separate VAR checks and was later described by the Spaniard as “an absolute disgrace”.
He had been unhappy too after the Magpies had held his side to a 0-0 draw at the Emirates Stadium in January last year, prompting a debate about the “dark arts” employed by Howe’s men as they gatecrashed the top four to secure Champions League qualification at the end of the 2022-23 campaign.
Asked if his side needed to regain that reputation, Howe said: “Yes, but I think it is related to winning. When you are winning games, if you are leading games, everything is different compared to when you are chasing games.
“In part, it was over-hyped and talked about more because we were in that position a lot that season. This season, we have not been in that position as often, so you end up being the reactive team trying to chase the game effectively.
“We don’t want to be in that position, we want to be the team in control. But certainly, doing whatever it takes to win – as long as it is within the rules – I’m a firm believer in that.”
If there have been cross words and touchline spats between the two camps in recent seasons, the raised temperature between the two clubs is not new.
Sir Bobby Robson remarked after a particularly eventful 3-1 league win over Arsene Wenger’s side at Highbury in December 2001 that “people have got to learn to lose now and again” after Ray Parlour was sent off and Thierry Henry had to be restrained from confronting referee Graham Poll on the final whistle.
Arteta’s behaviour on Tyneside last season saw him charged with, but ultimately cleared of, misconduct but went largely unnoticed by opposite number Howe.
The Newcastle head coach said: “My thoughts were about my own team and how proud I was of them on that day. It was a really high-level game.
“I know the goal took the headlines and the controversy, really, I understand that. But I was just really proud of the group – and I hope I have that same feeling after this game.”
We don’t want to make this a comfortable environment for any team
The Magpies go into Saturday’s game without a win in their last five league outings, but having booked a Carabao Cup quarter-final clash with Brentford by virtue of Wednesday night’s 2-0 fourth-round win over Chelsea.
Howe faces a series of decisions with the likes of Lloyd Kelly, Sean Longstaff and Joe Willock having impressed in midweek, but is intent on making life difficult for the Gunners.
He said: “We want to make it as uncomfortable as we can for any opposition team coming to St James’ Park. That’s the beauty of playing at home. We don’t want to make this a comfortable environment for any team.”
