Mikel Arteta Newcastle United press conference – Speaks ahead of Sunday’s match | OneFootball

The Mikel Arteta Newcastle United press conference has taken place.

The Arsenal boss speaking on Friday afternoon.

The Gunners playing at the St James’ Park on Sunday afternoon.

Mikel Arteta facing Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United who have defeated Arsenal on their last three visits to SJP.

Indeed, Arsenal failing to score a single goal in these three defeats, almost two and a half years since they last scored at St James’ Park.

The Mikel Arteta Newcastle United press conference as reported by the official Arsenal media – 26 September 2025:

Mikel Arteta on if Newcastle are a completely different kettle of fish without Alexander Isak:

“No, because he wasn’t playing against Barcelona and what it could have been in the first 30 or 40 minutes could be very different to the result.

“At the end, we know, I always praise the work that Eddie and the coaching staff have done there and the way they have managed to create such an atmosphere, especially at home as well and a very clear identity of playing football and they make it really difficult.

“We know the test, we know that we’re going to have to be much more efficient than we’ve been lately when we played up there to win the game and we’re going to work on that in the next two days.”

Mikel Arteta on the biggest challenge of facing Eddie Howe’s side:

“It’s a lot of games that you have to dominate when you play against them, now we have to be ready because they continue so rapidly, so quickly, it’s a really intense match.

“We will prepare for that, we know that as well, but increasing especially our efficiency and two very specific key things I think it gives ud the best chance to win the game.”

Mikel Areta on the atmosphere at St James’ Park:

“Incredibly beautiful; I think it’s one of the best football atmospheres in this county.

“As a player, as a fan, as a coach, you want to live in this atmosphere, they play every single ball with you.

“It’s electric, there is so much support there and it’s one team, one city, I think that makes it different as well, and to play it’s such a challenge and opportunity as well so it’s a great game to play.”

Mikel Arteta on what he took from Newcastle’s game against Barcelona:

“There are two ways to look at that game with a tactical view, it’s on mute or put the volume up and I decided to put the volume up just to understand.

“In every decision there is an emotional contribution and certainly when you have to play your game and the way you want to play there, you have to be able to do it in that atmosphere and I think that’s beautiful.”

Mikel Arteta on how important the first five minutes of games in tough atmospheres are:

“The first five minutes are the most important minutes for the first five minutes. And then the next five minutes until the referee blows the whistle. It is everything, momentum, tendencies and feelings in relation to how the team is feeling in that moment on the pitch. But at the end, you need to be dominant for long periods of time to win there and that’s what we’ll try to do on Sunday.”

Mikel Arteta on if Arsenal are going to keep the same philosophy from the 1-0 win at home to Newcastle last season:

“Every game will be different, I didn’t like the first minutes that we played at the Emirates against them.

“I like other parts of it, there are a lot of parts I liked about the games we played at St. James’ Park but not especially when we conceded the goals but we will have to be better. I think the level is better, their level will raise, our level will raise and we’re going to have to be at our best and if we do we’re going to have a good chance to win the game.”

Mikel Arteta on Martin Odegaard’s availability:

“Martin will be training with us the next two days so hopefully he’ll be available for the game.”