Eddie Howe has stressed that Newcastle United are here to 'compete' - not to be 'popular'.
Newcastle ruffled a few feathers during a goalless draw at Arsenal on Tuesday night after the Magpies became the first side to pick up a point on the road against the league leaders this season. Although Newcastle have evolved into a more progressive outfit under Howe, the gritty visitors showed the other side of their game at the Emirates as Arsenal failed to score in a Premier League game for the first time in 2022-23.
Newcastle disrupted Arsenal's rhythm in a stop-start encounter and got under the skin of both the home support and Gunners boss Mikel Arteta with how they managed the game during the 0-0 stalemate. It was a night where the ball was in play for just 51 minutes and 23 seconds - Newcastle captain Jamaal Lascelles even picked up a booking for attempting to block a throw-in late on despite being an unused substitute - and Howe hailed his side for being 'streetwise' and 'smart'.
READ MORE: Everything Eddie Howe said at his press conference
'"We are not here to be popular and to get other teams to like us," Howe told reporters. "We are here to compete and, to compete, we have to give everything to try and get a positive result.
"I've got no issue saying that. That is our job and that's what we're going to try and continue to do."
Newcastle's players and staff were previously booed off the field in defeat at Anfield earlier this season and Arsenal were the latest member of the established order to be unnerved by the Magpies' approach away from home. After watching Newcastle frustrate his side, and pick up their first result at the Emirates since 2010, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta even fumed: "This is not the way they play."
Arteta, in truth, only grew more agitated as the game went on. Arteta confronted Jarred Gillett after 'just' five minutes of stoppage time were added on and the Arsenal manager was in the fourth official's ear once more when the hosts were not awarded a penalty at the death after Granit Xhaka's cross struck Jacob Murphy's arm.
It was Arsenal's second penalty shout of the night, after Dan Burn's shirt pull on Gabriel went unpunished earlier in the half, and Arteta was furious as he ran down the touchline and attempted to influence Gillett. Howe does not tend to get dragged into these spats but, with his side just seconds away from a precious point, the Newcastle head coach felt moved to act on the touchline.
As Gary O'Driscoll, Arsenal's head of medical services, tried to usher Arteta away from the official, Howe walked over to stand up for his side. Looking back on the flashpoint, Howe felt there was no need for Arteta to apologise because it was 'two passionate people caring about their football club', but the 45-year-old believed he had to step in.
“Absolutely," he added. "I have to be very strong at certain moments for my team, for the club. I've got no problem doing that as long as I don't lose my discipline and control but, certainly, I have to stand up for what I believe in at certain moments.
“I have to give the referee a big compliment against Arsenal. I thought he was very strong when he needed to be at the end of the game under immense pressure, I thought he made the right decisions in those moments, so I've got no issue doing that."
READ NEXT
Eddie Howe and Newcastle send message to fuming Mikel Arteta as Lascelles winds Arsenal up
Arsenal see nasty Newcastle, Eddie Howe stands up to Mikel Arteta and ref influenced - 5 things
Arsenal pay 'incredible' tribute to Newcastle and Mikel Arteta already knows what's coming
Eddie Howe reveals wish Newcastle transfer targets must hear as traditional Arsenal plan changes
Leeds United send 'don't mess' with us message after time-wasting as Meslier taunts Newcastle
