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Mikel Arteta has urged his Arsenal players to be ready for a testing encounter when they face Newcastle United at St James' Park on Sunday.
The Gunners make the trip to Tyneside with a poor recent record hanging over them. Arsenal have lost four of their last five visits to Newcastle and have failed to find the net in any of their last three outings at the stadium.
Eddie Howe's side have turned St James' into a fortress in recent seasons, and Arteta admitted his team must raise their level if they are to change the narrative.
Arsenal's challenge is heightened by the state of the Premier League title race. They currently sit five points adrift of leaders Liverpool, who are the reigning champions and have made a flawless start to the season.
Should Arne Slot's side defeat Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park earlier in the weekend, Arsenal would kick off in the north-east eight points behind, placing even greater pressure on them to secure a result.
Arteta emphasised the importance of character and focus in such conditions, stating that his players must embrace the demanding environment.
"It's a really intense match," said Arteta.
"We know the test, and we know that we're going to have to be much more efficient than we've been lately when we played up there to win the game and we're going to work on that.
"You have to dominate when you play against them, and we have to be ready. It's one of the best football atmospheres in the country.
"As a player, as a fan, as a coach, you want to live in this atmosphere, they play every single ball with you, it's electric.
"The way they have managed to create such an atmosphere, especially at home as well as a very clear identity of playing football, they make it really difficult.
"There is so much support there and it's one team, one city, that makes it different as well, and to play it's such a challenge and opportunity. It's a great game to play in."
