Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has said that his team is aiming to qualify for the Champions League and vowed to "go for it'.
The Gunners, locked in a top-four race with Tottenham Hotspur, visit St. James' Park tonight to face Newcastle United in their penultimate league game of the season.
Spurs, who trimmed the gap between themselves and the Gunners to just a point after their stunning 3-0 derby victory last week, kept the pressure on Arsenal with a 1-0 defeat of Burnley on Saturday.
Arteta's side will move back into fourth place with a win over the Magpies ahead of their final game of the season against relegation-battling Everton.
At the pre-match press conference on Sunday, the Spaniard was asked if finishing fifth could be anything to celebrate, to which he responded (via Independent):
“No. We want to be playing in the Champions League, and that’s the end. We’ve come so far.
Arteta continued:
“It’s in our hands, and we want to now capitalise on that and the excitement and the opportunity’s there, and we will really want to go for it.”
Arsenal haven't finished inside the Premier League's top four since clinching the runners-up spot in the 2015-16 season. They have come up eighth in their last two campaigns.
With only two games remaining, the Gunners cannot afford to slip up any further. Arteta has urged his team to capitalise on the momentum they've built. He added:
“It’s not pressure; it’s excitement, and this is what we have built over the last few months. And as I said, top four is the target. Now, it’s in our hands, and we want to deliver that.”
Arsenal facing defensive crisis ahead of Newcastle visit
It's an important game for Arsenal, but Arteta is facing some issues in defence.
Rob Holding is suspended for the clash after his red card in the loss to Spurs last week. Meanwhile, first-choice centre-backs Ben White and Gabriel are both struggling with injuries.
Neither was spotted at Arsenal's training session on Sunday. If both are unable to make it tonight, Arteta could be forced to use a makeshift backline with Takehiro Tomiyasu and Granit Xhaka.
For the record, Kieran Tierney is also missing in action after undergoing knee surgery, but Nuno Tavares is available and should continue to deputise for him in the left-back position.
zuzadmopru
0
A big mistake from arsenal owners was to give M arteta a new deal because he failed arsenal and keep failing them, look now he's hiding his head in the sand at this crucial time !! If him and his flobs were serious earlier games against crystal palace, southampton and brighton, he wouldn't need to feel the pressure in the last two remaining games, he has always blew it out,
kuedlostz
1
you are a useless man arteta
VictorMakolo
0
well. we didn't play like we deserved it.
Gunners4ever❤
0
but the truth is spurs deserve to be there more we are there better team, drawing with Liverpool and beating man city showed that we could easily get to the finals of champions league again or at least the semis, arsenal only beat small clubs.
League is a different ball game compared to UCL bro.
Gunners4ever❤
0
if u look critically,,,half of Arsenal's losses this season are due to un necessary red cards n biasness from referee n VAR
Last season as well when we finished 6 points behind 4th.
Layabors
0
but losing to man united and Chelsea both home and away even Arsenal beat u in the first leg, I'm 100% sure if not for the red card u can never beat Arsenal in that game u were just lucky referee awarded u with that controversial penalty. guy no one deserve it more than arsenal cuz arsenal is the third most winning team this season.
Like you didn’t hold the pressure. ?
Layabors
0
don't blame the fucking referees when u have holding,Cedric,Tavares,sambi,Xhaka,Eddie in ur squad..n Arteta as a coach so dont blame the fucking referees
Deaf and blind.
WasOla
2
God Bless u
Yohabi1st
2
I don't think there should be any cause for alarm as far as Arsenal are concerned. Given how they begun the season, as though they were going to battle relegation this season, Arsenal somehow emerged as strong contenders for UCL spot. For me, I think Arsenal have nothing to lose and Tottenham should be the ones under intense pressure. Every body thought Manchester United and Spurs would be the ones jostling to finish the season amongst the top four, Arsenal was never in the equation in the first place. All pundits, all book makers, all experts are followers of the game considered Arsenal as outsiders. So why worry? Arteta should pysche up his youthful team and ask them to feel free, enjoy themselves and go and make history for themselves in the process. He should tell them, ''You can do it, nobody should look down on you because you're too young and inexperienced.'' It's not a do or die. It's not the end of the world. The beauty of it is that the Gunners have done well already, no matter what happens at the end of the season, they will be playing European football next season. Not even conference league for that matter. These young Gunners know how to win, I've got trust in them. They can do it.
Vejandja9
0
don't blame the fucking referees when u have holding,Cedric,Tavares,sambi,Xhaka,Eddie in ur squad..n Arteta as a coach so dont blame the fucking referees
Don't be dumb
Sosst
1
If the team does not make champions league maybe arsenal should look to replace him💡
FREAK23
3
Trust the Process for the last two games COYG[Comeon]
piusdeo101
0
but the truth is spurs deserve to be there more we are there better team, drawing with Liverpool and beating man city showed that we could easily get to the finals of champions league again or at least the semis, arsenal only beat small clubs.
I feel for spur , let them qualify ✊
pisacdeinr
0
UCL is not meant for Arsenal but you guys are still better than Man U😂😂😂
[image]
see one bad luck fella again
Pobactuz
1
WELL SAID ARTETA. No other Manager would hv said that. Your stand up comedy for best Act is just round the corner
Koueimopz
2
don't blame the fucking referees when u have holding,Cedric,Tavares,sambi,Xhaka,Eddie in ur squad..n Arteta as a coach so dont blame the fucking referees
Gilbertgooner
3
Trust the process[Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
73sewo73
5
Who is finishing fifth ?
Dixonmande
3
if u look critically,,,half of Arsenal's losses this season are due to un necessary red cards n biasness from referee n VAR
vazabcmo
1
but losing to man united and Chelsea both home and away even Arsenal beat u in the first leg, I'm 100% sure if not for the red card u can never beat Arsenal in that game u were just lucky referee awarded u with that controversial penalty. guy no one deserve it more than arsenal cuz arsenal is the third most winning team this season.
so funny 😄, arsenal won't make the top 4. You can't hold the pressure
Jayilnps
2
Arsenal lost the top 4 opportunity with that home loss to Brighton and the derby loss to Spurs compounded it.Though I still feel the referee was u just with that penalty awarded to spurs.Newcastle will spoil whatever hope they have left.It will be a miracle if Arsenal win at Newcastle.Whatever happens,they have done fairly well to be where they are on the table.Europa beckons!!
nokciknu
0
Keep dreaming only good for Europa
joyikmoprt
0
but losing to man united and Chelsea both home and away even Arsenal beat u in the first leg, I'm 100% sure if not for the red card u can never beat Arsenal in that game u were just lucky referee awarded u with that controversial penalty. guy no one deserve it more than arsenal cuz arsenal is the third most winning team this season.
Foyclnpruy
0
UCL is not meant for Arsenal but you guys are still better than Man U😂😂😂
[image]
Say blood of Jesus 👊
teybdiknuy
1
but the truth is spurs deserve to be there more we are there better team, drawing with Liverpool and beating man city showed that we could easily get to the finals of champions league again or at least the semis, arsenal only beat small clubs.
I also lost home and away to Chelsea and man u
lisablrsy
0
but the truth is spurs deserve to be there more we are there better team, drawing with Liverpool and beating man city showed that we could easily get to the finals of champions league again or at least the semis, arsenal only beat small clubs.
It won’t be okay for your dad
Authority90
0
but the truth is spurs deserve to be there more we are there better team, drawing with Liverpool and beating man city showed that we could easily get to the finals of champions league again or at least the semis, arsenal only beat small clubs.
It seems the guy don’t watch the highlights of the first leg, how we trash 🗑 you guys with 3-1
Lambertino
2
Will comment more after the final whistle of the season. Let’s see who goes to the UCL between Arsenal and Arsenal
Firedragon147
0
but the truth is spurs deserve to be there more we are there better team, drawing with Liverpool and beating man city showed that we could easily get to the finals of champions league again or at least the semis, arsenal only beat small clubs.
Chickens deserve ucl cause they spent a lot on fa and refs
Lubabdesuy
0
but the truth is spurs deserve to be there more we are there better team, drawing with Liverpool and beating man city showed that we could easily get to the finals of champions league again or at least the semis, arsenal only beat small clubs.
didn't we beat Chelsea and Manchester United! just keep shut
JoyNg
1
UCL is not meant for Arsenal but you guys are still better than Man U😂😂😂
stylecity
2
but the truth is spurs deserve to be there more we are there better team, drawing with Liverpool and beating man city showed that we could easily get to the finals of champions league again or at least the semis, arsenal only beat small clubs.