Here are your Newcastle United headlines for January 3.
Arteta's tribute
Mikel Arteta has paid tribute to the 'incredible' job Eddie Howe has done at Newcastle United as the Arsenal boss prepares to face a fearless Magpies outfit tonight.
The last time Howe took his side to the Emirates, in his first physical game in the dugout as Newcastle head coach, the struggling visitors were languishing at the bottom of the table in November, 2021. Now, remarkably, Newcastle travel to the capital in third place.
Newcastle, like league leaders Arsenal, have only lost one Premier League fixture this season and Howe's side have taken points off Man City, Spurs, Manchester United and Chelsea along the way. These results have been no fluke.
Rather than sitting off and paying the traditional big hitters too much respect, Howe wants his players to believe they can win any game - home or away. Newcastle's preparations, as a result, have focused on how the Magpies can hurt teams like Arsenal rather than unduly fearing what their opponents can do to them.
Arteta is well-aware of that change in mentality and the Arsenal manager knows Newcastle will not simply look to contain the in-form Gunners as the visitors have in years gone by.
You can read the full story here.
Howe's Arsenal approach
Eddie Howe says Newcastle United can't afford to think defensively ahead of their trip to the Emirates Stadium.
In previous years, the Magpies have set off for North London with a negative approach and invited pressure by parking the bus. Yet this time around, Howe is unwilling to sit back and wait for things to happen.
Speaking ahead of the journey to Arsenal, Howe was asked about tactics and said: "There's certain times in games where you might need that mindset within the game. I think as a starting point, how do you grow if that is your consistent way of approaching games?
You can read the full story here.
Ronaldo rumours debunked
Newcastle United made it just 48 hours into the transfer window before they found themselves in the realms of fantasy football.
But within hours of a huge claim in Spanish title Marca that Portugal legend Ronaldo had a clause in his contract allowing to join the Magpies from Al-Nassr - if United qualify for the Champions League - reliable United sources dismissed it. There is, of course, no clause in the soon-to-be 38-year-old's deal that will set up a move to St James' Park.
Newcastle, backed by their Saudi-owners, are certainly ambitious but Ronaldo is not the type of signing they are currently interested in and United will spend the January window playing smart - as they did last winter and in the summer. Toon fans, who understand the club's policy since the takeover, would not need any type of assurances that an audacious move like Ronaldo isn't on the cards at the moment.
You can read the full story here.
Redknapp's prediction
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp does not believe Newcastle United will finish inside the Premier League top four this term.
The Magpies have been one of the stories of the season this term, producing a host of fine performances that have seen them go to toe to toe with the Premier League's elite.
In their three competitive fixtures since the World Cup break, Eddie Howe's side have yet to concede a goal, with Newcastle currently sitting third in the Premier League ahead of the likes Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool and Chelsea.
While Manchester United missed out on the top four last term, the other three all finished inside the Champions League places.
Newcastle lost to Liverpool earlier this season in agonising fashion but did manage to beat Chelsea and Tottenham prior to the World Cup break.
Right now, the Magpies are two points ahead of fourth placed Manchester United, four points ahead of fifth placed Spurs and six points ahead of sixth placed Liverpool.
But despite their fine form this season, Sky Sports Jamie Redknapp does not believe Newcastle will be securing Champions League football when the season ends in May, instead tipping Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool and Manchester United to make up the top four.
You can read the full story here.
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