Arsenal and Newcastle are both dealing with a mini-injury crisis before their Premier League clash at St. James’ Park on Saturday lunchtime. The Gunners have been hampered by key absences in recent weeks, with Eddie Howe’s side now also dealt two major worries having only just welcomed back Anthony Gordon from a groin injury.
Both teams advanced to the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup earlier this week, with the Magpies beating Chelsea and Arsenal knocking out Preston. From those games, three new injury concerns emerged with Mikel Arteta’s latest issue surrounding Ben White.
The versatile defender was left out of the squad that made the trip to Deepdale – due to load management. However, Arteta has since revealed he’s a doubt to make the weekend’s clash. “With Ben we don’t know yet,” Arteta admitted in a press conference. “He could not train so let’s see what happens.”
As for Gabriel Magalhaes, another defender who missed the midweek cup tie, Arteta appears far more hopeful that he can feature after being subbed off against Liverpool on Sunday afternoon. “Yes it’s good news on Gabriel,” he revealed on Friday. “We have a training session today. If he’s able to do that he’ll be in the squad.”
Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney are both expected to remain absent, as the Arsenal manager also ruled out another duo. “Riccy [Riccardo Calafiori] and Martin [Odegaard] are out definitely,” he openly said on Friday morning before the long trip to Tyneside.
As for their opponents, the biggest concerns surround star striker Alexander Isak after he limped off just beyond the hour mark in the 2-0 win over Chelsea with Gordon also still seemingly not fully match fit. “They both feel OK,” Howe said when asked about the attacking duo.
