Eddie Howe and Mikel ArtetaEddie Howe and Mikel Arteta
Eddie Howe and Mikel Arteta | Getty Images
Mikel Arteta and Eddie Howe have a number of injury issues to deal with this afternoon.
Newcastle United’s penultimate game of the season sees them come up against Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. A win for Eddie Howe’s side, which would be their fourth of the season against the Gunners, would see them end the day second in the Premier League table and with control of second place in their own hands.
However, much like last weekend’s win over Chelsea, Newcastle will have to deal without having the services of a number of key players. Howe opted to shift formation last weekend and could do the same again today - although concerns over Sven Botman will be a worry for the Magpies head coach.
Arsenal, meanwhile, will not have Mikel Merino available this afternoon after he was shown a red card at Anfield. Here, we take a look at the latest injury news from both camps ahead of Newcastle United’s clash with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal team and injury news v Newcastle United
Gabriel Jesus - out
Jesus suffered an ACL injury just as he was becoming a regular under Arteta. The Brazilian will not play again this season.
Takehiro Tomiyasu - out
Tomiyasu has struggled with injury problems all season and will not feature against Newcastle United. A knee injury will keep him out of the remainder of the campaign.
Gabriel Magalhaes - out
The Brazilian will not feature again this season after suffering a hamstring injury.
Mikel Merino - out
Merino was shown a red card during Arsenal’s draw with Liverpool last weekend. A subsequent one-match suspension will mean he misses today’s game and a reunion with his former employers Newcastle United.
Declan Rice - doubt
Rice has been struggling with a hip injury and missed out entirely last weekend. Arteta admitted that the midfielder’s injury ‘does not look good’ and that he is regarded as a doubt to play this afternoon.
Kai Havertz - doubt
Havertz hasn’t featured for Arsenal since February after picking up a hamstring injury. There were fears his season was over, but Mikel Arteta has revealed recently that he could be back before the season concludes. The German was spotted in training with the Gunners this week, leading to hopes from north London that he will be fit enough to feature.
Leandro Trossard - doubt
Trossard left the Anfield pitch last weekend in discomfort and holding his hamstring.
Jurrien Timber - doubt
Timber was judged to not be fit enough to feature against Liverpool last weekend. It is not thought his injury is serious, but he remains a doubt for this afternoon’s game.
Newcastle United injury news v Arsenal
Lewis Hall - out
Hall will not feature against Arsenal after suffering a foot injury that required surgery. His season is over.
Matt Targett - out
Targett has suffered a hamstring injury and is not likely to feature again this season. The former Aston Villa man has suffered greatly with injury problems this term.
Joelinton - out
A knee injury is expected to keep Joelinton out of action for the rest of the season. The Brazilian hasn’t featured in their last three outings and will be a huge miss for Howe and his team this weekend.
Kieran Trippier - out
Trippier missed the win over Chelsea through injury, with Howe admitting post-match that he wasn’t sure if the defender would be able to play again this season.
Joe Willock - doubt
Similarly to Trippier, Willock also missed Sunday’s win and is a major doubt to feature against his former side .
Sven Botman - doubt
Botman played just shy of an hour against Chelsea on his first Premier League start since January. Reports on Thursday morning detailed serious doubts over his fitness, ones that could see him miss their last two matches.
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