Newcastle United handed double injury blow ahead of Arsenal
Anthony Gordon and Tino Livramento updates
Will Bukayo Saka return for Gunners?
Newcastle United have been handed a double injury blow ahead of making the trip to Arsenal on Saturday evening.
It’s set to be a crunch fixture for both the hosts and the visitors. Mikel Arteta’s side are in desperate need of a response following defeat to Manchester City as they fear their title hopes could slip away.
Meanwhile, the Magpies look to end a four-match run of defeats across all competitions, although European qualification already seems out of grasp.
Arsenal team news
Arsenal 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.
Mikel Arteta could be without starboy Bukayo Saka once again. The winger has not played for the Gunners since the Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City but had started to return to training prior to last weekend.
Jurrien Timber has been out for over a month and has been a sore miss for the London outfit. It was thought that the defender was in with a chance of returning against Manchester City, but he did not make the matchday squad in the end.
Riccardo Calafiori has not been seen in training after missing out against Bournemouth and Manchester City. It would be a surprise to see the full-back suddenly fit again to take on the Magpies. Mikel Merino is a long term absentee with a foot injury, but is fighting to return again this season.
Doubts – Bukayo Saka, Jurrien Timber. Outs – Mikel Merino, Riccardo Calafiori.
Newcastle United team news
The Daily Mail reports on Wednesday that Anthony Gordon has not made training this week due to the hip injury that kept him out against Bournemouth on Saturday. It is not thought that the problem will be season-ending, but suggestions are that the trip to the Emirates Stadium may come too soon.
It was even worse news for Tino Livramento. The full-back was forced off against the Cherries with a thigh issue and will need a second scan on the problem. The former Chelsea man looks set to face a fight to return before the end of the campaign.
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.
Doubts – Anthony Gordon. Outs – Tino Livramento, Fabian Schar, Joelinton, Emil Krafth.
In other news, Roberto Mancini confirms ‘proposals’ amid Newcastle United links.