Arsenal aim to avoid unwanted history against Newcastle and deliver key summer message | OneFootball

Gunners must step up in penultimate game of the season to all but guarantee second place and end Magpies hoodoo

It is, however, unwanted history on the line for Arsenal as they bid to avoid a fourth defeat this season to the Magpies.

No side has ever beaten the Gunners four times in a single campaign, but Newcastle could become the first after winning at St James’ Park in the Premier League earlier this season and also beating Arsenal in both legs of their Carabao Cup semi-final tie.

“They’re a very difficult team for any opposition, I think,” said Arteta, when asked about Newcastle being Arsenal’s bogey team.

“What [manager] Eddie [Howe], the staff and as a club they’ve done over the last few years is remarkable. They’ve been very, very consistent and very difficult to play against, like we’ve been.

“They dominate almost every aspect of the game. They are great when they have to attack a low block and they have a lot of presence in the box.

“If they need to run set-pieces, run transitions, defend a low block or if the game has to get physical, they are ready to do that. The way they compete, they are smart.

“They try to take advantage of a lot of things like any good team, and you have to dominate a lot of things, even if you’re not on top of the table in this league.”

Unwanted history aside, Sunday is a big game for Arsenal as they try to finish this season on a high.

The emotional toll of crashing out of the Champions League at the semi-final stage to Paris Saint-Germain was clear to see last week.

In his post-match press conference in the bowels of the Parc des Princes, Arteta looked visibly crestfallen and Arsenal’s first-half performance at Anfield last week was also one of a team desperate for the season to end.

They were able to rally and earn a 2-2 draw, which has kept them in the driving seat to finish second in the Premier League.

Newcastle, however, are just two points behind and will go above Arsenal if they win at the Emirates this weekend.

After a testing season, which has been beset by injuries, Arteta is determined that does not happen and his side hold off the Magpies’ charge.

“It’s our last home game, and it’s always a very special occasion,” said Arteta.

“It’s our chance to wrap up the Champions League, to put ourselves in a really strong position for the second place, and in a way to say thank you again to all of our supporters for the amazing season.

“They’ve been on every journey, in every ground, making the effort to travel with us everywhere and at home as well.

“I think it’s one of the best days in the season when you have to just say thank you to them and they can say what they feel as well about the team.”

The financial benefits of Arsenal finishing second instead of somewhere else in the top five of the Premier League is around a few million pounds, but of greater value is the message it would send going into the summer.

Arsenal’s domestic form has suffered during their Champions League run and they have won just one of their last six league games.

Continuing that slide for the final two matches would see the campaign end on a sour note, with Arsenal somehow finishing third in a two-horse race.

Even if injuries and suspensions can explain the dip, it would still hurt Arteta - who was fuming after the first-half performance at Anfield last week.

The Spaniard was angry because he saw a “reaction” from his side, instead of “action” in the first half.

Arteta will not accept the same on Sunday, especially against a Newcastle side who have caused them so many problems this season.