Arteta conflicted as Gunners eye benefit from City debacle

ARSENAL manager Mikel Arteta said he still only wants the best for former employers Manchester City, even though a European ban for the English champions could give the Gunners a route into next season’s Champions League.

After a goalless first half, PierreEmerick Aubameyang put the Gunners in front with a powerful header from a Nicolas Pepe cross.

Pepe himself added the second, from close range after good work from the impressive Bukayo

Saka.

Newcastle had opportunities to get back in the game, with Allan SaintMaximin hitting the post and Ciaran Clark missing a great chance from close range.

But Mesut Ozil put the game beyond the Magpies with his first goal of the season with a tap-in after a flowing Arsenal move involving 35 passes and touches from all 11 players – the most passes for any goal in the League this season.

Alexandre Lacazette, left on the bench with youngster Eddie Nketiah, finished off a smart move for Arteta’s side, who recorded just their second win since the Spaniard took over at the club.

City’s two-season ban handed down by UEFA on Friday means fifth will be enough to secure a Champions League place unless the champions succeed in overturning that sanction at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Arteta, who left City to take his first senior managerial role at the Emirates in December, could now be the beneficiary of his former club’s punishment.

“It’s very difficult. I want the best for Manchester City, the best for Pep (Guardiola) and the players. The only thing I want for them is positive and good things,” said the Spaniard.

“I just want to do for Arsenal the best I can.”

There was plenty of encouragement for Arteta in Arsenal’s second half performance after an all too familiar subdued first 45 minutes.

“We wanted to put draws into wins and the home form is going to be vital.

“It was a little bit slow and you can get frustrated but we started to manage the game better after 25 minutes, had a talk at halftime and improved in the second half,” said Arteta.

“In the final third we were poor in the first 25 minutes.

The most important thing is the reaction of all the players,” he added.

Newcastle have scored just 24 goals in 26 League games this season and their lack of a goal threat was obvious as they chased the game in the final half hour.

“The goals were gave away were not like us, it was too easy,” said Bruce. “We did not start the half like we should’ve done. We’ve been sloppy and given away awful goals.” – AFP/Reuters