At a Glance:
- Arsenal host Newcastle United in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.
- The Magpies could be without two key players for the trip to N5.
- Three other Newcastle players are already ruled out.
Arsenal’s pursuit of the Premier League title continues on Saturday evening when they host Newcastle United, who could be without a handful of key players for the clash.
The Gunners were dealt a significant blow in the title race on Sunday when they were beaten by Manchester City at the Etihad. While they still have a three-point lead at the summit of the English top flight, the Citizens have a game in hand.
If Arsenal match City’s results for the rest of the season, then the title will be decided by goal difference. Thus, Mikel Arteta’s outfit have a strong incentive to attack and score goals in their remaining matches, and they may now have a better chance of doing this against Newcastle on Saturday.
Tino Livramento and Anthony Gordon are doubts for Arsenal clash
Ordinarily, Newcastle would represent an extremely challenging clash for Arsenal. The Gunners have struggled against the Magpies in recent seasons, winning just two of their last five matches against Eddie Howe’s side.
However, the north-east team are in dire form, having lost each of their last four games across all competitions. They’re now stuck in mid-table mediocrity and are unlikely to make a late push for a European place.
Thus, Arsenal should be confident that they can stop their own rut when they host Newcastle at the Emirates on Saturday evening, and this confidence will only have been boosted after Howe’s latest injury update.
Following the Magpies’ defeat at home to Bournemouth, the English manager confirmed that both Tino Livramento and Anthony Gordon are nursing injuries and are subsequently doubts for the trip to N5.
Source? Eddie Howe in his press conference😂
— That Guy (@ThatGuy28780245) April 21, 2026
What Howe said >
Gordon: “Whether he makes next week? We don’t know” so until there’s an update, he’s ruled out.
Livramento: “That’s a huge blow for him & for us” after he was forced off for Trippier.
Livramento was replaced in the 74th minute at St. James’ Park against the Cherries, while Gordon didn’t feature at all. Both players are said to be suffering from a groin problem, and neither are expected to be ready to play against Arsenal.
Gordon has been heavily linked with a switch to the Emirates, and his absence will be a huge blow for Newcastle. He provides the Magpies with an out-ball on the counter-attack, and without this threat of pace, the Gunners will be much less cautious with their approach.
Meanwhile, Livramento has also been mooted as a target for Arsenal, and will also be a significant loss for Newcastle at the Emirates.
Three more absences for Newcastle for Arsenal encounter
Livramento and Gordon aren’t the only players set to miss out on the visit to Islington for Newcastle. Joelinton is suspended for the affair in N5, after his booking against Crystal Palace took him to ten yellow cards for the season, condemning him to a two-match ban.
The Brazilian missed the game against Bournemouth, and his absence was keenly felt by Howe’s team. Not only does he provide muscle and energy in the middle of the park for Newcastle, he’s also integral to their pressing structure, and without him, Arsenal should be able to play through the Magpes with ease.
Alongside Joelinton, Emil Krafth remains unavailable. The Swede is recovering from a serious knee injury and won’t play again this season.
Meanwhile, Fabian Schar has a foot infection, and won’t feature until mid-May at the earliest.
