Mikel Arteta is striving for Arsenal to match the consistency of Liverpool as he previews the Gunners’ clash with Newcastle this weekend.
Arsenal‘s eight-game unbeaten run in the Premier League came to an end with a 4-0 defeat at Liverpool last weekend, the north London side well beaten by the Reds on Merseyside.
The Gunners remain fifth in the division and are just three points outside the top four, though Arteta says his side must find greater levels of consistency if they are to compete with the Premier League’s best.
“We have to raise our level to compete with these teams and match how consistent they are every game, but also how consistent they are throughout the game,” he told his pre-match press conference. “They dominate every area and that is why they are so successful.”
Arteta was involved in a heated touchline exchange with Jurgen Klopp that saw both managers cautioned at Anfield, with the Spaniard insisting he will ‘always defend’ both the club and his players.
“You have to be spontaneous and do what you do,” he said. “I will always defend my club, my team and the players on the pitch.”
Arsenal host Newcastle in the Premier League this weekend, the Magpies currently bottom of the division and without a win so far this season.
Eddie Howe’s side have lost 17 of the past 18 meetings between the teams in all competitions, whilst Newcastle have failed to win an away fixture at Arsenal since a 1-0 success in November 2010.
Arteta is hopeful his side can maintain their strong record against the struggling North East side, urging his players to ‘put right’ their defeat at Liverpool last weekend.
Speaking on Newcastle’s poor record against Arsenal, Arteta added: “Lets keep it going, but this is a new game and there have been some changes there. It has built momentum. We saw some different things in the last game they played (a 3-3 draw at home to Brentford); new manager and a new coaching staff, so we need to be prepared.
“We are really looking forward to the game, after a defeat, you want to put it right straight away. We are on a good run, we are at home and we have our people right behind us and we are going to perform well. Then we’ll be close to winning the match.”
