Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has claimed that his side can’t be compared with either Manchester City or Arsenal despite what the Premier League table reads at this stage of the season.
The Magpies have made a solid start to the season and are sitting just behind Manchester City and Arenal in third in the Premier League table after four games.
A win over Fulham at Craven Cottage on Saturday would take Newcastle to the top of the Premier League table ahead of Manchester City and Arsenal squaring off at the Etihad on Sunday.
Newcastle’s results have been better than their performances and they are not expected to challenge for the Premier League title at the end of the season.
Howe also admitted that it is too early to look at the Premier League table and his side are not at either Manchester City or Arsenal’s level
We are not comparable to Manchester City and Arsenal, insists the Newcastle manager
The Newcastle boss stressed that Manchester City and Arsenal are far ahead of his team at this stage but insisted that the aim is to try and close that gap in the coming weeks and months.
He admitted that the long-term goal is to make sure Newcastle can compete with the top teams of the Premier League and be genuine title contenders.
Howe conceded that it would be nice to get to the top of the table on Saturday but stressed that it would mean nothing given how early it is in the season.
“I don’t see how we can compare ourselves to them [Manchester City and Arsenal] currently”, Howe said in a pre-match press conference today.
“But the aim is to get there, the aim is to close the gap every day, every week.
“That is what we are working towards. That has to be our aim, our longer-term aim and short-term aim, and that is what I am trying to work towards.
“I think it [going top] would be nice for us. It’s a great motivation for us this weekend. Of course, it means nothing because it’s so early, but that’s where we want to be.”
Arsenal will look to reach the top of the table by beating Manchester City on Sunday but will have to do it without their club captain Martin Odegaard.
