Newcastle United travel to the Emirates Stadium on April 25 for Premier League MD34 against Arsenal, with both teams trending in the same direction but on opposite sides of the table.
Eddie Howe’s side enters the match following a 2-1 home defeat to Bournemouth, extending their losing run to four matches in all competitions and three in the league.
Newcastle sit 14th in the table, 11 points above the relegation zone with five games remaining and a sizable seven points off the final Europe-bound place. The Magpies have lost eight of their last 11 Premier League matches and have not won any of their last 13 away league games against Arsenal. Talk about an optimistic outlook.
Injuries and suspensions remain a significant issue for Howe, with Tino Livramento and Anthony Gordon both ruled out with a groin injury and a hip issue, respectively. Emil Krafth, Fabian Schar and Joelinton are unavailable, although Bruno Guimaraes is set to play.
Arsenal, meanwhile, come into the fixture after a 2-1 defeat to Manchester City, their fourth consecutive domestic loss, and having lost the EPL lead to the Cityzens thanks to the latter’s midweek win.
Mikel Arteta’s boys now sit second in the table but can return to the top with a win on Saturday, if only dependent on what Man City ends up doing. Bukayo Saka is a doubt with a calf issue, while Riccardo Calafiori, Jurrien Timber and Mikel Merino are unavailable for the Gunners.
Here are some of Howe’s Wisdom Nuggets, courtesy of NUFC.co.uk
On Livramento…“With Tino, he went for a scan initially. We don’t think it’s a bad injury. We’ll wait and see whether he’ll play again this season. He’s due to have another scan at the weekend to determine the full extent.
“I think Tino’s very level-headed, very stable mentally. He’s had a frustrating season (after) such a good season last year – he was outstanding, was fit and available and really contributed to what we delivered.
“This year’s been different and that’s just the life of a footballer I’m afraid. He’s never been able to get that run of games to find his best form. He’s an outstanding player.”
On Gordon…“Anthony won’t make the game. He hasn’t trained this week, again not a serious injury, but not in time for this game. Hopefully (he’ll be fit) for next week.”
On the impact of the recent run…“We’re all feeling that pain at the moment. It’s been a difficult period for us. We’re very determined to try and put that right and determined to try and win as many games as we can.
“We’ve prided ourselves historically on if we lose a game, fighting to the end and giving everything to try and get a result. I feel the players are currently at the moment maybe lacking in a little bit of confidence – we’ve lost a bit of our normal regular flow and rhythm that we’ve had.
“There’s only one way to re-find that though and that’s through, in my opinion, hard work, a really good period of training, players staying very stable mentally and seeing it for what it is, and just trying to rediscover and enjoy their football and find their best form again.”
On Guimarães…“He’s had a full week of training and he’s trained really well – I’ve been very pleased with him. It’s been tough for him. I think you could see against Bournemouth, he came on with all the right intentions, to deliver a really big physical performance, but you could see that he was struggling at times physically to adapt top the pace because he’d had minimal training.
“But he was playing on heart and spirit and determination, and the week he’s had this week will serve him really well. He’s such an important player for us on so many levels and of course we’re keen to get him on the pitch as quickly as possible. I’ve just got to make sure it’s not to his detriment.
“It’s been great to have him back around the group though – he’s such a positive person, and he can only help and inspire the players around him.”
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