Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has praised Arsenal's transformation under Mikel Arteta ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash against the Gunners at St James' Park.
Arteta's side arguably exceeded expectations last season as they pushed Manchester City all the way for the Premier League title, falling short in the final few weeks of the season before finishing second.
The North Londoners have since strengthened their squad in the summer as they endeavour to compete at the summit once again as well as enjoy a strong run in the Champions League.
Arsenal are one of only two Premier League teams who are yet to lose this season after 10 games, with Arteta's men sitting second in the table and seven points clear of Saturday's opponents Newcastle in sixth.
Ahead of the contest between the two clubs in the North East, Howe has talked up the improvements made by Arsenal and has encouraged his Newcastle players to step up for the "big test" this weekend.
"It speaks for itself what [Arsenal] achieved (last season)," Howe said at a press conference on Friday. "They recruited really well in the summer. Declan Rice is a really impressive individual.
"I think they have moved on from last year and performed very well, mentally moved on and stepped it up. They are unbeaten (and) it is a really big test of our credentials. Mikel has done a brilliant job there.
"We are going to have to find ways to make it very difficult for them but we are looking forward to the game."
Newcastle enter Saturday's match in high spirits after securing an impressive 3-0 victory against Manchester United in the EFL Cup fourth round on Wednesday, despite missing a number of key players and Howe's decision to make widespread changes to his side.
Howe has confirmed that Nick Pope and Fabian Schar are both fit to feature against Arsenal after missing the win at Man United, but Alexander Isak (groin), Sven Botman (knee) and Matt Targett (hamstring) are all ruled out, the latter of whom sustained his injury in the first few minutes in midweek.
"Nick [Pope] is fine and Fab [Schar] was just a little under the weather, hence why he didn't travel," said Howe.
"Unfortunately not [an update] with Sven [Botman]. We'll have to wait and see over the next few weeks and then hopefully we'll get some more news but at the moment we're still waiting to find out.
"I think hopefully, [Isak will] be fit for the first game after the international break. But he's still got a long way to go before we get to that point.
"It doesn't look good (for Targett). He is having his scan today so we will know more today. When you have a hamstring injury, you sort of fear the worst. It is a real blow to lose him, he is a top player."
Howe has also provided an update on Sandro Tonali's situation after the midfielder was handed a 10-month ban last week for breaching betting rules, ruling him out for the rest of the 2023-24 season.
"Tonali is training" said Howe. "A lot of his sessions will be individual or with small numbers – a real mental test for him to try and come through that period a better player. It'll be difficult for him for sure.
"He has started that journey into the 10 months so it is a mental test for him. Sandro has to try to come through that and come through it a better player. It is definitely our objective as coaches is to try to help him. But it is going to be difficult for him."
Newcastle are unbeaten in their last six Premier League games, but they have only won one of their last 10 encounters with Saturday's opponents Arsenal. body check tags ::
