Callum Wilson has sent Mikel Arteta a damning warning ahead of Arsenal's clash with Newcastle United. The Gunners find themselves embroiled in a race for Champions League qualification, and failure to beat the Magpies would massively hamper their chances.
The 30-year-old striker has featured 16 times in the Premier League for Eddie Howe's side this season after missing nearly four months of action with a calf injury, and has directly contributed towards six goals. With big goals against Southampton, Crystal Palace and Burnley, his impressive efforts have helped steer Newcastle away from relegation.
While the Tyneside-club have secured safety with two games to spare, Wilson will undoubtedly be keen to build on Newcastle's healthy vein of form. The England international, who has been out for much of the season, faces a potential return under the limelight against Arsenal on Monday night.
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With an evening clash on that cards, Wilson has admitted that he relishes fixtures under the lights at St. James' Park and warned the Gunners to be ready. Speaking on the Footballer’s Football Podcast, Wilson said: "When you're preparing for a game for a Saturday three o'clock kick-off, there's a lot of waiting around, I try not to think about the game so much.
"I just relax, we go on team walks and I put my headphones in and listen to a bit of music to focus. But the night-time games, if we're at home we'll be in at the club in the morning, the manager will have us doing our tactical walk-through, not even getting up to a jog, just walking around the pitch with the detail.
"Then we would have lunch as a team then go home and at that point some players have a little nap, personally I have a little sleep but I wouldn't sleep in the afternoon in a general day but when I've got a game in the evening I do and it definitely gives me energy for the night-time game.”
Newcastle have enjoyed a handful of memorable nights at St James’s Park. And, Wilson is confident that he will add to the feat with a goal against Arsenal.
"You've just woke up, it might be dark outside, the lights are on at the stadium, the fans are there,” he added. “It's getting me excited because our next game is on Monday night. If you're a betting man, I'd bet on me to score if I start the game.”
