Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has sent a strong message to his players ahead of their upcoming English Premier League (EPL) clash against Newcastle United on Sunday, News About Nigeria reports.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference on Friday, Arteta made it clear that he expects nothing but a win from his team, stating that they must “be at their best” and “dominate” the game from start to finish.
“Newcastle are a tough team to play against, but we are Arsenal and we need to approach every game with confidence and determination,” Arteta said. “We have been working hard in training this week and I am confident that my players will deliver a strong performance on Sunday.”
The Gunners are currently seventh in the EPL table, four points behind fifth-placed West Ham United, and will be looking to secure a vital win to keep their hopes of European qualification alive.
Arteta will be boosted by the return of key players like Kieran Tierney and Alexandre Lacazette, who missed the midweek Europa League clash against Villarreal due to injury.
However, the Spanish coach will be without the services of David Luiz and Granit Xhaka, who are both suspended for the match.
Despite the setbacks, Arteta remains optimistic about his team’s chances and believes that they have what it takes to come out on top against Newcastle.
“We know what we need to do and we will go into the game with a clear plan and a strong mentality,” he said. “I have full faith in my players and I am confident that they will deliver a positive result for the fans.”
Arsenal have won their last four EPL matches against Newcastle, including a 3-0 victory at the Emirates Stadium earlier this season.
However, Arteta is taking nothing for granted and has urged his team to remain focused and disciplined throughout the game.
“We cannot afford to make any mistakes or give away any easy chances,” he said. “We need to be solid defensively and clinical in front of goal. If we can do that, I am confident that we will get the result we want.”
The match between Arsenal and Newcastle will kick off at 2 pm BST on Sunday at St James’ Park.
