Howe downplays feud with Arteta ahead of Newcastle, Arsenal duel

PREMIER LEAGUE Howe downplays feud with Arteta ahead of Newcastle, Arsenal duel

Kiplagat Sang • 16:16 - 05.05.2023

The Magpies will host the Gunners in yet another match that carries a lot of stakes in the Premier League.

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has downplayed the feud he had with his Arsenal counterpart Mikel Arteta during their reverse fixture.

Sunday’s match between the two clubs – with varying dreams in the league; the Magpies want to win points and ensure a top four finish in the end, and the Gunners hope to seal victory to boost title-winning chances – is expected to be a fiery one.

The Magpies were the first team to take points from Arsenal at home when the game ended in a goalless draw in January; thus ending Arsenal’s five-game winning streak.

Later in the game, Granit Xhaka hit the byline and crossed into the box, with the ball hitting Jacob Murphy’s arm. Arsenal players – and Arteta - protested as they demanded a penalty. This led to Howe reacting and, in the process, clashing with the Gunners’ boss.

"Fine. I’ve got a lot of respect for Mikel," Howe told a press conference on Friday when asked about his relationship with Arteta.

"I think he’s done an incredible job when you consider the team that he picked up and the position they were in compared to the team that he has now and the way that they’re playing.

"That’s a brilliant coaching job, you have to admire everything that he’s done, whether that’s recruitment, coaching, or everything. So, a lot of respect from me to him."

A six-point gap separates Newcastle in third place from Liverpool in fifth, although the Reds have played one more game. Howe said nothing is done yet concerning the Champions League race.

"Nothing’s done, and I didn’t expect it to be done. We’re competing against elite teams who will fight until the end, and we have to do the same," he added.

"So our five games we need to give our best preparation and focus to, because the fight that we’re in could go right down to the end of the season."

Taking into account Liverpool’s recent run of five wins in the last five games, the Reds are a real threat to both the Magpies and Manchester United.