Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe could not give a definite answer on whether [Alexander Isak](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/newcastle-united-unveil-major-selection-31669233) will be fit to fire the Magpies to glory against Everton next weekend. Isak pulled out of the game after undergoing a scan this morning and was not even named on the bench at the Emirates Stadium.
His presence against the Toffees can help push Newcastle over the line but Howe said it was now a race against time for the £63million man. The Newcastle boss, [speaking directly after the 1-0 loss at Arsenal](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/article31670402.ece?token=1843862610&previewAll=false), said: "That's unknown. I don't at this moment in time.
"He only felt pain after training, he'd felt fine during training and it was just a bit of stiffness really. So he went for a scan this morning purely a precaution. Then it became obvious that he was not going to be fit to play. I don't know.
"A lot depends on how he will react in the next few days. He has had a couple of groin injuries either side, this is one he had earlier in the season. "
Howe was asked if Isak needs surgery in the summer and added: "I don't think it is a surgery issue. It's not something that needs mending.
"It is certainly something that needs looking at as to why he's getting groin complaints. But yeah it is definitely not a surgery issue it's what is he doing to strengthen that area, which we will look at and focus on."
The press conference also resulted in an Arsenal correspondent asking if Howe could guarantee Isak would be in a Newcastle shirt next term. He said: "I never make those guarantees about any player. It's not do with Alex's future, I'd be foolish to sit here and do anything like that.
"We want to keep our strongest players. I have said that as long as I've sat in this seat. We have to keep our strongest players and bring in more good players to make us stronger because of the ambition of the club and everybody connected with it is long-term success, and that's the only way we can try to get that."
After Newcastle lost 1-0 and could not finish without Isak, Howe was reluctant to pin the defeat on the Sweden star's absence.
Howe said "It's a difficult one to go too deep into that because the standard of our performance with him missing was still really, really strong. We did create chances and did look really good in that first half.
"Yes, the final action, which he (Isak) is better than anybody at, he has been a brilliant finisher for us this season, but unfortunately from Callum's point of view none fell to him.
"Bruno had one and Harvey had his shot and set-plays were a big threat for us. But it was a really strong performance in his absence. That has to be the big confidence lift that we need when you review this game."