At a Glance:
- Arsenal host Newcastle United on Saturday evening at the Emirates.
- The Gunners have a number of injury concerns heading into the clash.
- Mikel Arteta has provided an update on the likes of Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber.
Arsenal host Newcastle United in the Premier League on Saturday evening, and manager Mikel Arteta has provided an injury update ahead of the clash.
The Gunners fell behind Manchester City in the title race on Wednesday night when Pep Guardiola’s men narrowly beat Burnley at Turf Moor. The difference between the two teams is a matter of goals scored, with both sides possessing identical goal differences with five matches left to play.
Arteta’s side have the chance to put the pressure back on to City when they entertain a deflated Newcastle team on Saturday. The Magpies’ form has been spiralling out of control in recent weeks, and Arsenal should ultimately have far too much for Eddie Howe’s outfit, particularly given some of their absences.
| Rank | Team | Pts | Pld | GD |
| 1 | Man City | 70 | 33 | +37 |
| 2 | Arsenal | 70 | 33 | +37 |
Mikel Arteta issues Arsenal injury update ahead of Newcastle clash
Arsenal’s squad is actually starting to round into health. Martin Odegaard returned to action last week against Manchester City, and while Mikel Merino remains sidelined with a calf injury, other players are expected to be nearing a return.
Bukayo Saka is among those who are close to being back in the fold. The winger has been out of action since the Carabao Cup final before the international break, with an Achilles problem preventing his involvement.
The reporting around this setback has been somewhat limited until this week. It emerged on Tuesday that Saka is expected to be available within the next seven days.
Unsurprisingly, Arteta was asked about the England international’s potential availability for the Newcastle game in his press conference on Friday.
“No [issues],” he said.
“Bukayo is probably going to be in the squad. So good news.”
Elsewhere, it has been mooted that Riccardo Calafiori has either returned to full training or is close to taking part in these sessions at London Colney. The Italian hasn’t featured since Arsenal’s trip to Lisbon a couple of weeks ago, as he struggles with a load-bearing issue.
Meanwhile, Jurrien Timber has now been absent for over a month, and this has raised alarm bells amongst Gunners supporters. Arteta has been persistently coy when asked about the Dutchman’s fitness status.
He addressed both full-backs’ situations in his press conference on Friday afternoon.
“Riccardo in the squad, Jurrien not,” the Spaniard asserted.
Newcastle team news ahead of Emirates visit
While Arsenal’s squad is close to being complete, Newcastle are going in the opposite direction. The Magpies have already lost Emil Krafth for the season, while Fabian Schar remains a couple of weeks away.
On top of this, Joelinton will serve the second of a two-match suspension after the Brazilian picked up his tenth yellow card of the season in a game against Crystal Palace.
To add insult to injury, Howe now has two fresh issues to contend with. Tino Livramento and Anthony Gordon are set to miss the trip to N5 with groin injuries.
Livramento was forced off in Newcastle’s last game, against Bournemouth, limping off the pitch in the 74th minute. Meanwhile, Gordon was entirely absent against the Cherries.
“Yeah with Tino, he went for a scan initially,” Howe told the media on Friday.
“We don’t think it’s a bad injury, we’ll wait and see whether he’ll play again this weekend to determine the full extent of his time out.
“Yeah, 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 the next one.”
