Key Newcastle duo doubts for Arsenal clash | OneFootball

Eddie Howe has confirmed that Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon will be assessed ahead of Newcastle’s clash with Arsenal this weekend.

Newcastle welcome the Gunners to St James’ Park on Saturday lunchtime, aiming to build on a positive performance against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup.

Isak and Gordon both featured in that 2-0 win over the Blues but were substituted as the duo manage ‘niggling injuries’.

Howe has said the pair ‘feel OK’ but that no decision has yet been made on their involvement against Arsenal.

“They both feel OK. We will assess how they feel today. Sometimes 48 hours after the game you can feel different to 24 hours. It’s not necessarily a straight line with how the body feels. They have both had niggling injuries so we’ll make a decision today.”

Howe saw several of his fringe players impress in midweek with Emil Krafth, Joe Willock and Lloyd Kelly among the names pushing for a place this weekend. After a tough start to the season, Howe said he now has the options to freshen up the side.

“They certainly give you the ability to change the team. Many times I’ve said I don’t want the team to pick itself, but I also don’t want to go game to game, changing too many players, because I don’t think that’s healthy either.

“So I believe in a settled team, but of course, with midweek fixtures especially, the intensity of games now, you have to have the ability to rotate. I’ll pick the strongest team that I can, that can give us the best chance to win.”

Howe hints at midfield shakeup

Sandro Tonali produced an eye-catching performance at the base of the midfield against Chelsea, a position usually occupied by Bruno Guimaraes, and Howe has said the Italian’s display has opened up the prospect of change.

“All options are open. Sandro [Tonali] can definitely play both positions, whether it be higher or lower, and that’s why we recruited him in a way, because he had that versatility. We didn’t want to sign one player for one position. We needed that flexibility, especially going into a Champions League season that we faced.

“I think Bruno [Guimaraes] is slightly more complex in terms of where he plays, because I think he has natural strengths, where he gravitates to the ball and always wants to be on the ball, and that’s his biggest strength. Playing him away from the ball is different for him, so that’s something we will look at. I think good players can play anywhere, so let’s see.”

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