"They haven't played against any team like this."

This was not the Newcastle United that a frustrated Mikel Arteta was used to facing at Emirates Stadium, as the Arsenal manager reflected on a goalless draw in January 2023.

Newcastle have had far more memorable results under Eddie Howe against the Premier League title challengers.

But this particular stalemate was viewed as a significant step forward internally, after dogged Newcastle refused to roll over, as they had previously, in north London.

It was a night where Newcastle ruffled one or two feathers.

Such was the visitors' determination to get a result, unused substitute Jamaal Lascelles was booked for obstructing an Arsenal throw-in late on, while the usually measured Howe confronted Arteta on the touchline after growing tired of the Spaniard's incessant complaints to the fourth official.

Just a few days later, the Newcastle head coach declared: "We're not here to be popular and get other teams to like us - we're here to compete."

However, his side have lost that edge as they prepare to return to the same ground on Saturday (17:30 BST).

With Newcastle languishing in 14th, and his future coming under increased scrutiny, Howe accepts they have become too easy to beat.

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It was just last month that Newcastle defeated Manchester United with 10 men, recorded a rare away win at Chelsea and came within seconds of a famous victory against Barcelona at St James' Park.

But this flaky team have since suffered a series of damaging losses, including a 2-1 home defeat by in-form Bournemouth last week.

The momentum of that game should have been with the hosts following William Osula's equaliser midway through the second half.

However, fragile Newcastle have conceded the most goals after the 75-minute mark (19) in the Premier League for a reason.

The sight of so many Newcastle players jogging back as goalscorer Adrien Truffert drifted into the box undetected in the 85th minute summed up the listlessness that has gripped them.

So, too, did the bowing of heads after the ball hit the net as this side's confidence plummeted further.

Kieran Trippier was the only player to visibly recoil before the substitute grabbed the ball and beckoned his dazed team-mates forward in an attempt to quickly get the game back under way.

Trippier felt it was his down to him to front up and speak to reporters in the immediate aftermath of the defeat, and he did so again in a separate round of interviews before the trip to Arsenal.

The former England international is leaving the club at the end of the season, but he remains one of the few vocal leaders in the building.