Kieran Trippier says Newcastle United could need half a decade to catch up with Manchester City in the Premier League.
The Magpies were trounced 5-0 by Pep Guardiola's side at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday and now face a tough encounter against Champions League chasing Arsenal. But comparisons between the two clubs - who have both undergone Middle East takeovers - are far too early in the view of England star Trippier.
When asked if it was never going to be a case of a quick game of catch up, Trippier told Chronicle Live: "No, definitely not. I was at Man City when their takeover happened and I had to leave to get minutes.
"You see the way Man City have done it and everyone is looking at Newcastle now. Like I said when I first arrived here, it's not going to happen overnight, it could take five years, it could take six years and everybody has to be patient but they are taking the right steps and that's all you can do, you can't just go all guns blazing. You have to take the right steps to move the club forward and that's what Newcastle are doing."
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United have moved on from the heavy loss at Man City and are now preparing to face the Gunners for the final home game of the season at St James' Park. It is a huge week for Arsenal who face a season defining two matches.
Firstly they face Tottenham in the North London derby away from home before heading to the North-East. Arsenal have clinched Champions League football before on Tyneside but Trippier is eager to prevent that from happening.
The former Atletico Madrid man said: "It's a massive occasion, the last home game of the season. The fans have been unbelievable, since I arrived certainly.
"Arsenal are fighting to get in the top four, I want to help Tottenham obviously and then Burnley staying up. It's two different types of matches and they're going to be up for it so we've got to make sure we match that."
