Eddie Howe has insisted Newcastle will do “whatever it takes to win” as they head into a Premier League clash with Arsenal which has proved explosive in the past. Gunners boss Mikel Arteta was furious after last season’s 1-0 defeat at St James’ Park, sealed by Anthony Gordon’s controversial strike, which survived three separate VAR checks and was later described by the Spaniard as “an absolute disgrace”. He had been unhappy too after the Magpies had held his side to a 0-0 draw at the Emirates Stadium in January last year, prompting a debate about the “dark arts” employed by Howe’s men as they gatecrashed the top four to secure Champions League qualification at the end of the 2022-23 campaign.
Anthony Gordon fires Newcastle to a controversial 1-0 win over Arsenal last season (Owen Humphreys/PA) “In part, it was over-hyped and talked about more because we were in that position a lot that season. This season, we have not been in that position as often, so you end up being the reactive team trying to chase the game effectively. “We don’t want to be in that position, we want to be the team in control.
But certainly, doing whatever it takes to win – as long as it is within the rules – I’m a firm believer in that.” If there have been cross words and touchline spats between the two camps in recent seasons, the raised temperature between the two clubs is not new. Arsenal striker Thierry Henry had to be restrained at the end of a stormy game at Highbur.
