- Arsenal v Newcastle United team news
- Eddie Howe confirms double Magpies blow
- Mikel Arteta provides Bukayo Saka update
Arsenal have been handed a huge injury boost ahead of hosting Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday evening.
Both Eddie Howe and Mikel Arteta are in desperate need of three points with the risk of the wheels coming off their respective campaigns. The Magpies only have a faint hope of European qualification as the Gunners look to stop Manchester City winning the league once again.
The hosts will be buoyed by team news confirmed by Arteta on Friday, with Bukayo Saka in contention to face Newcastle.
Arsenal team news
Arsenal welcome Newcastle United this weekend in need of a boost and get that in the team news confirmed by Mikel Arteta on Friday.
Bukayo Saka has missed five matches since the Carabao Cup final due to injury, and had been absent for England for the international break. However, the starboy is set to feature in the squad to take on the Magpies.
Arteta said: “Bukayo [Saka] probably is going to be in the squad, so good news.
“We have given him some time because there was a moment that he was struggling to sustain the performances because he wasn’t comfortable at all and we’ve done that so he had the right treatment, the right space.
“He had some time as well for himself and now it’s the most important part of the season and he’s back with us.”
The Gunners can consider themselves lucky to be with the services of centre-back Gabriel for the visit of Newcastle United this weekend. The Brazil international only saw a yellow card for a headbutt on Manchester City striker Erling Haaland last weekend – spared a red by the talisman staying on his feet.
Jurrien Timber has been out for over a month and has been a sore miss for the London outfit. Meanwhile, Riccardo Calafiori had not been seen in training after missing out against Bournemouth and Manchester City.
In this week’s update, Arteta said: “[Calafiori is] probably be in the squad as well. Jurrien not in the squad.”
Mikel Merino is a long term absentee with a foot injury, but is fighting to return again this season.
Doubts – Riccardo Calafiori. Outs – Mikel Merino, Jurrien Timber.
Newcastle United team news
Eddie Howe confirmed on Friday that Anthony Gordon and Tino Livramento would both miss out against Arsenal. The winger was absent against AFC Bournemouth due to a fresh hip injury, while Livramento limped off in the defeat.
In his press conference, Howe said: “Anthony won’t make the game. He hasn’t trained this week. Not a serious injury, but not in time for this game. Hopefully the next one.
“Tino went for a scan initially, we don’t think it’s a bad injury, we’ll wait and see if he’ll play again this season. He’ll have another scan this weekend to determine his time out.”
Fabian Schar needed an operation on an infected foot and has not played since the 4-3 win over Leeds United in January. He is expected to miss out again. Meanwhile, Joelinton will serve the second of his two-game suspension as a result of too many yellow cards. Emil Krafth is a long term absentee.
Outs – Tino Livramento, Fabian Schar, Joelinton, Emil Krafth.
In other news, Craig Hope confirms Newcastle United star with 122 Premier League appearances will leave this summer.
