Bruce is philosophical about the pressure he is currently under having seen the Spaniard's immediate troubles dissipate while Chelsea boss Frank Lampard and Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo have been thrust into the spotlight.

He said: "Look, no matter whether you're me in charge of Newcastle or whoever you're in charge of in the Premier League, we're always under the pump in terms of results and at the minute, results haven't been good enough for us.

"It's part and parcel of the game that you have to accept these days. A few weeks ago, it was Arteta; Frank's in the middle of it now; all of a sudden, Wolves have won one in eight.

"It is part and parcel of the Premier League. If you don't get enough results, then unfortunately that's the way it is these days and we have to accept it – then you come under pressure.

"They (Arsenal) have had a few decent results in a short period of time, which always helps. Just at the right time, he (Arteta) has had a good run."

League wins over Chelsea, Brighton and West Brom and Thursday night's draw with Crystal Palace either side of an extra-time cup victory against the Magpies send Arsenal into their latest fixture in confident mood.

By contrast, Newcastle have gone out of both domestic knockout competitions and last won in the league against the struggling Baggies on December 12.

Bruce said: "You always know when you go to Arsenal, we know what to expect. It's going to be – as always – difficult, but it's the way we go and approach it and approach it in the right manner, like we did in the cup tie, and let's see if we can get a better result."