Arsenal will be aiming to equal a Premier League clean sheet record when they welcome Newcastle United to the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday evening.
The Gunners hold a seven-point lead over Manchester City at the top of the table and will temporarily increase that advantage to 10 with victory over the Magpies.
However, Eddie Howe's side have the chance to leapfrog City into second place with all three points at the Emirates, which would reduce their deficit below Arsenal down to six.
Arsenal succumbed to a disappointing 2-0 defeat at St James' Park in May, but they previously secured a straightforward 2-0 win over Newcastle at the Emirates last term and know a thing or two about keeping Newcastle at bay.
The Gunners have kept a total of 28 clean sheets against Newcastle in the Premier League, and one more would see them equal a competition record for the most shut-outs against a specific opponent.
© Reuters
The current record of its kind is held by Manchester United, who have recorded 29 Premier League clean sheets against Tottenham Hotspur, and there are reasons for Arsenal to feel confident of matching the Red Devils' feat.
Victory over Newcastle at the Emirates last term marked Arsenal's 11th home win in a row against the Magpies, and only against Stoke City (16) have they won more consecutive home games.
Mikel Arteta's side are also the only team in the Premier League this season with their 100% home record still intact, having won seven out of seven in North London, although they have never won their opening eight home games of a top-flight season.
Furthermore, only Nottingham Forest have failed to score in Premier League action at the Emirates in 2022-23, with the Gunners keeping just one clean sheet in their last 12 top-flight home games.
Arteta addressed the media ahead of Tuesday's game over the weekend, and he hailed the "incredible" work of Howe for creating a "big momentum" around St James' Park regarding a Champions League charge.
© Reuters
"A very good team. Very well coached. I think what Eddie has done in that short period of time, you look at the numbers, it's incredible," football.london quotes Arteta as saying.
"Big credit to him and his coaching staff. Then they have created a belief, a big momentum around the team that they play the same way against any opponent. We are going to play at home in front of our crowd and we're looking forward to it."
The Spaniard also stressed the importance of his side staying grounded amid their phenomenal start to the season, adding: "The way we are performing is obviously impressive and we're really happy with that, but we have set the bar and objectives in the short term of what we want to improve and what is making us win that many football matches."
Arsenal are without Gabriel Jesus (knee) and Reiss Nelson (thigh) for the visit of Newcastle, but Emile Smith Rowe is back in training after groin surgery and could make his first appearance since September.
Ben Knapton
