Granit Xhaka has fired a warning to his Arsenal team-mates ahead of the Gunners’ trip to on Sunday.
Mikel Arteta’s team got back to winning ways and returned to the top of the table over on Tuesday night.
The Gunners face a much bigger test in their next fixture against a Newcastle side who have lost just four games this season – the same as and Arsenal – with Eddie Howe’s side beaten just once at St James’ Park in 2022-23.
Newcastle are third in the Premier League table and held Arsenal to a draw in the reverse fixture at the Emirates in January.
At the end of last season, Newcastle beat Arsenal in a result which ultimately saw the Gunners miss out on a Champions League spot with Xhaka hitting out at his team-mates at full-time in an angry rant, .
This time around, though, Xhaka told Sky Sports: ‘We don’t forget the game we had there last season.
‘I have to be honest they destroyed us. They were much, much better, they wanted it more.
‘We have to go there and show them we are ready and why we are where we are.
‘We deserve to be where we are at the moment. But it will be a very tough moment because Newcastle are doing a very good job.
We have to go there and believe and to play our game and hopefully we can take the three points back to London.’
Xhaka still thinks Arsenal can win the Premier League title this season and speaking about the Gunners’ recent slump, he added: ‘I try to give advice with my experience.
‘I’ve had worse times than every player here, that’s for sure. I try to help the youngsters to give them motivation.
‘Of course if you [don’t win for] four games you start to struggle, but this is my job.’
