Mikel Arteta makes ‘nasty’ and ‘unpleasant’ claim as Arsenal beat Newcastle United

Mikel Arteta provided his verdict on Arsenal’s 2-0 win against Newcastle United.
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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta admitted to being proud of his players after becoming only the third Premier League team to beat Newcastle United at St James’ Park under Eddie Howe.

Moments after the Magpies were denied an eighth-minute penalty following a VAR check, the Gunners took the lead through Martin Odegaard’s 25-yard strike. The visitors then made sure of the win inside the remaining quarter of an hour via Fabian Schar’s own goal.

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Arteta’s men, who moved to within one point of top spot, followed in the footsteps of Manchester City and Liverpool to win on Tyneside since Howe was appointed head coach in October 2021.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta.  (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta.  (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Arsenal also avenged last season’s 2-0 defeat, a result that ended their Champions League qualification hopes. Before the game, Arteta showed the infamous dressing room footage from the All or Nothing series to his players.

“I think the word to describe it is pride,” said the Spaniard. “When you have question marks, you have to resolve them straight away.

“When you had the emotions that we had last year in that dressing room, you have to make sure that you feel them again. To realise how difficult, how nasty and how unpleasant they are, and then you have to find a way to approach the game in a different way, because the manner is going to be higher than last year.

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“The boys did that extremely well so I’m really proud of them.”

Arteta challenged his players to put in their best performance of the campaign. He also referenced the “incredible” St James’ Park atmosphere.

“It was very different that’s for sure yes, it was needed. If not, you do not win here,” the 41-year-old added.

“They are a better team, they are very well coached, the atmosphere they created is incredible, so you know we needed a much better performance than any game we have played this season.

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“I said to the players that to win today, you’re all going to have to individually put in the best performance of the season if not, you’re not going to win here.”

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