Olivier Bernard has vowed to give Arsenal's French Army 'a few sleepless nights' as Newcastle United try to muscle their way into the Premiership title race.

Newcastle will cut Arsenal's lead at the top of the table back to five points if they beat Middlesbrough at the Riverside this evening.

Frenchman Bernard, 23, insists the Magpies can pile the pressure on his fellow countrymen Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira, Robert Pires et al by winning their final ten Premiership fixtures.

He said: "Arsenal are a great team who have played some fantastic football this season - but we'll make it as hard as possible for them.

"They can afford to drop five points and still be top, but if we can carry on winning they will be worried.

"We want them looking over their shoulders at us and having a few sleepless nights.

"We might have to win all our games, but that's what we are aiming to do.

"We must put Arsenal under pressure and see what happens. We both have to play at home to Manchester United and we expect to win our game because we can beat anyone here."

Sir Bobby Robson echoed Bernard's comments as he declared his intention to fight for the championship right to the end of the season.

Robson ruled Newcastle out of the title picture earlier in the season but has revised his view on the back of his side's nine-match unbeaten run since their FA Cup exit to Wolves. The Newcastle manager said: "We shouldn't let any opportunity slip because you never know what can happen in football.

"Injuries occur and players who look strong can suddenly look a bit jaded.

"You don't want to be in a situation where an opportunity comes along when you've already given up because then you would have missed a great chance. The object is to go to the end."

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