Newcastle sent warning as Arsenal ready to show 'attacking mindset' after Mikel Arteta criticism | OneFootball

Gunners have been accused of setting up with the “handbrake on” in big games so far this season

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Christian Norgaard insists Arsenal are “an attacking team” and will show it against Newcastle.

The Gunners have been accused of playing with the “handbrake on” during the early part of the season.

Sky Sports pundits Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville both criticised Mikel Arteta for his approach last weekend, when Arsenal drew with Manchester City.

Norgaard, however, believes he and his team-mates are playing with an attacking mindset and are ready to show it at St James’ Park on Sunday.

“I think we’ve been going for it a lot in those games, particularly at the weekend [against Manchester City],” he said.

“I know we equalised late but I think we were the dominant side, looking over 90 minutes, with more chances, more momentum.

“Sometimes xG doesn’t show the right picture always. That could have created a lot of chances for some of the attacks that we had in the game.

“I think we are an attacking team with an attacking mindset. Hopefully that will also show in the next couple of games.

“The players, the talent is unbelievable. There’s so much quality in the team. Now it’s just about getting it to click. I’m sure it will and then we’ll be flying.”

Arsenal have struggled at Newcastle in recent seasons, losing on their last three trips and failing to score a single goal.

“It’s a very tough place to go,” said Norgaard. “We never managed to win there with Brentford either.

“But we need to trust ourselves and, like we said, if we want to also keep competing in all competitions.

“Every game is about taking it, it’s about trying to win them. We know it will be very difficult but we believe we can get three points there.”

Arsenal’s hopes of victory are boosted by the fact that Newcastle no longer have Alexander Isak leading the line after he joined Liverpool in the summer.

But Norgaard has warned that the Magpies will still carry a real threat going forward.

“I mean, they’ve invested in two weapons, [Nick] Woltemade and [Yoanne] Wissa,” he said.

“Wissa hasn’t played yet, has he? He is injured at the moment? OK. But I know Woltemade is a good striker as well and he will give them a different type of striker. But without Isak, Newcastle and St James’ Park will always be difficult.”