Ally McCoist says Mikel Arteta is producing 'magic' at Arsenal, and is narrowly edging the impact that Eddie Howe has had at Newcastle United. Newcastle retained third spot over the weekend by coming from behind to defeat Brentford 2-1, and register a fifth league win on the spin.
The Magpies have put themselves in a strong position to achieve a top four finish, and McCoist says the momentum for third-place is definitely with Newcastle in this moment in time.
However, the Rangers legend insists that the job Arteta has done to lift Arsenal to the Premier League summit marginally outweighs Newcastle's European push under Howe this season.
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"I am just, just going for Arteta. I mean I love what's happening at Newcastle. Eddie Howe, just a great place to be at the moment. I've been lucky enough to have been up there a couple of times this season," McCoist told talkSPORT on April 4.
"The place is absolutely jumping, they are going places. They kind of lost their way a little bit, that's very unfair of me, they never lost their way. A little dip, probably didn't win a couple of games they thought they perhaps would've, could've or should've.
"However, what a recovery, Callum Wilson coming off the bench and scoring, Willock scoring a good goal [against Man United]. They are getting results. I tell you what was a big result, the late goal at Forest when Isak scored the two goals, his late goal at Forest was great as well.
"You'd have to say the momentum for that third place is really with Newcastle. But come on, Arteta, dear me! It's magic what is going on at Arsenal. If you are asking me at this moment in time, then Arteta, but the way things are going that could continue at Newcastle, because Eddie is doing a great job."
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