Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said he was looking forward to Saturday's Premier League game against Newcastle United but stressed he had steered clear of the off-field controversy that has marred previous meetings between the two parties.
Arteta has found himself in hot water after two of his last four league games against Newcastle, starting with a 0-0 draw in 2022-23 after he was criticized for his behavior on the touchline.
The Spaniard was accused of misconduct last season after attacking match officials following a controversial goal in the 1-0 defeat to Eddie Howe's side.
"That aside, I'm not at the point where I go into meditation mode. Maybe I should. "When the rules change regarding certain behaviors, we have to adapt and that's what I tried to do," said Arteta.
"I don't want to miss a game. I can't promise that if we have a goal, I won't jump on the line. So far it's working."
Asked about his comments on the referees, Arteta said: "It is part of the past and the situation that happened from which we learned, we also take a lot of positives from it. We have evolved... "They (leaders) are certainly doing their best."
Arsenal, who sit third with 18 points from nine games, will hope to maintain their title challenge with a win at 12th-placed Newcastle, but Arteta insisted the Tyneside side are far better than they showed their position in the championship.
"They're a fantastic team, really well trained. They're super intense, and a great stadium to play in. I'm looking forward to it," he told reporters.
Arsenal will be without the injured Riccardo Calafiori, while teammates Ben White and Gabriel Magalhaes are doubtful. Arteta added that Norwegian midfielder Martin Odegaard, out since September with an ankle injury, will also miss out against Newcastle but is close to returning.
"Now is when he will start to do some work with us. We will see how he deals with the pain if his movements are quite natural. He is physically at the level that requires him to compete," said Arteta.
"With the pace of work and the hours he has, I would be surprised if once he starts training with us we don't say: 'he looks ready'." "I hope it happens soon."
The Spaniard also paid tribute to the victims of the devastating floods in eastern Spain, which left at least 158 dead, adding: "I want to send them our thoughts, our support and our sympathy."
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