Mikel Arteta has been responsible for the ascent of Arsenal into a side looking to compete in the Premier League title race and this has been achieved through astute squad building, coaching and strict principles - but the Spaniard is not without his faults. Some have emerged in games which have seen the Gunners drop points, and the next challenge facing his side sees old wounds revisited.
After what many would have described as an overachievement were Arsenal to have finished in the top four last season, the club were denied to chance to qualify for the Champions League in the very fixture they tackle on Sunday. Losing 2-0 to Newcastle with a lacklustre display in May of last season sentenced the Gunners to their fifth-place finish.
Should Arsenal lose or even just drop points again when they face the Magpies again this weekend, it is highly probable that any glimmer of hope for the title will have been extinguished. Mikel Arteta spoke ahead of the game, and when asked about last season’s disappointment as to whether it would serve as motivation, he dismissed it.
