Alexander Isak & Anthony Gordon worry as Newcastle United set to make changes v Arsenal

Gordon missed last Sunday’s 2-1 defeat at Chelsea but returned to the starting XI three days later, getting through 70 minutes as the Magpies beat the Blues 2-0 to advance into the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup.

Isak, meanwhile, started his second game in four days. He scored in both matches, featuring for the full 90 minutes at Stamford Bridge before coming off after an hour in midweek.

“I think they both feel OK,” said Newcastle boss Eddie Howe. “It’s one of them where we’ll assess how they feel today. Sometimes 48 hours you can feel different to 24 hours, it’s not necessarily always a straight line with how the better feels.

“They’ve both had niggling injuries, Alex has had his toe and Anthony has had a groin so we’ll make a decision today.”

Howe made five changes on Wednesday and has hinted at making more for the visit of Arsenal.

“There is just general fatigue,” said Howe. “It was a good physical game against Chelsea, both games were intense matches so it's more game fatigue to get 24 to 48 hours after a game. We need to make sure whoever enters the pitch against Arsenal is in their best condition.”

The biggest dilemma Howe has is the midfield with Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali, Joe Willock, Sean Longstaff and Joelinton all getting a chance this week.

He said: “Three games in six days, it’s good to have those options. I think it is a tough ask for someone to play in all three games, it’s not impossible but it’s a tough ask and are they going to be at their absolute best physically in all three games? I’m not sure.

“So to have the ability to rotate, hopefully everyone enters the pitch in a really good condition. There are a couple of knocks in the squad so we’ll have to assess how everybody is.”