PLANT THE FLAG

Howe out to follow banner mantra and upset the big Gunns

- IAN MURTAGH

THERE’S no love lost whenever Newcastle square up to Arsenal.

And Toon chief Eddie Howe will not mind if relations remain icy at the Emirates tonight – because he knows that his team has rediscovered the competitive edge which often made them nightmare opponents.

In the past fortnight, both Unai Emery of Aston Villa and Tottenham’s Ange Postecoglou have launched rants in the wake of defeat at the hands of the Magpies.

And Howe will not care one bit if Mikel Arteta is similarly irate after tonight’s Carabao Cup semi-final first leg.

There is history between the pair. Two years ago, they almost squared up after a feisty goalless draw and since then tussles between the teams have invariably been tempestuous and controversial.