Eddie Howe reckons tackling table-topping Arsenal will show Newcastle how close they really are to becoming top-four contenders.
The high-flying Geordies have been ordered to ignore the praise being dished out after their brilliant revival in 2022, and just enjoy the challenges ahead. Howe will reset his squad ahead of the trip to North London, with “free-flowing, scoring Arsenal ” bidding to ruin United’s seven-and-a-half-hour run without conceding.
The Gunners are nine points clear of the Toon and Howe said: “I think we’ll learn a lot. I think it’ll be a fascinating game. I think it’ll be a high-level game. I’ve watched a lot of Arsenal this year, and have been hugely impressed.
“For us, the players have to keep enjoying what they’re doing – that is key to our second half of the season. For me, the players shouldn’t feel burdened by expectation, or any of those types of emotions.
“They should be relishing the place we’re in and enjoying every second, as long as they continue to be united and give everything to continue to achieve consistent results.
“They’ve looked like they’ve enjoyed the early part of the season, I think that’s been key for our results. And I would urge them to keep that focus."
Howe has been lost for words trying to sum up the revival, which has seen them on a 14 game unbeaten run, He said: “When you think back to a year ago, I don’t know what I would have said to them. I’m trying to think of something funny, but I haven’t got anything.
“You wouldn’t have thought that we would have been able to rise that quickly, but for me, we are where we are on merit, so we have to believe in ourselves.”
Arsenal have kicked on like Newcastle, but from a higher base, and Howe says Mikel Arteta has done an “incredible job”, adding: “Their identity is clear every week, and the players look like they’re enjoying their football.
"They’re playing a high-level game, so I think it’s going to be a really good examination of how far we’ve come. When you consider where they were at the start of last season, to the end, then they performed very well.
“But this season they’ve really carried that on, and gone again. The consistency has been hugely impressive for me. Home or away, there’s a hallmark to that team, free-flowing, scoring a lot of goals, tight defensively. It’ll be a really good examination for us.
“I’m sure the players will relish the opportunity to go to their stadium and go against them. Hopefully, we’ll learn some more about ourselves, and how far we are in our journey.”
United stars have been told to reject taking on too much praise and refocus. Howe said: “I think for me, I’m on very dangerous ground if I listen to (praise) and believe it, because then you have to listen to the opposite side and believe it too.
"I’d certainly stay away from any comments because it doesn’t serve me to listen to it. I have total faith in the players, regardless of where we play, that we can produce a good performance."
Howe could freshen up the side who drew 0-0 to Leeds. Allan Saint-Maximin is pushing for a start, and Joelinton could drop back into the midfield three for Sean Longstaff. Callum Wilson could remain on the bench after missing a week of training.
Aussie World Cup kid Garang Kuol will join this month but is set to be loaned out to a European club. United are eyeing Valladolid right back Ivan Fresneda, 18.
