Newcastle United can take another step towards sealing Champions League qualification by beating Arsenal at St James’ Park today (kick 4:30pm).
Following a run of eight wins in nine games, the Magpies sit third in the Premier League table. Fifth-place Liverpool are applying some pressure after their win over Brentford on Saturday closed the gap to three points, but United’s destiny remains firmly in their hands.
Eddie Howe’s side know three wins from their remaining five fixture will mathematically guarantee a top-four finish and therefore end the club’s 19-year absence from Europe’s most elite competition.
But Arsenal arrive on Tyneside with everything to play for. Mikel Arteta’s men fell four points behind league leaders Manchester City after Pep Guardiola’s side beat Leeds United yesterday. Lose today and their title dream will suffer a major blow. ‘
In this very fixture last season, Newcastle ended the Gunners’ Champions League hopes after an own goal from Ben White and a Bruno Guimaraes strike. The atmosphere at St James’ Park was red hot that evening, and more of the same is expected today.
NewcastleWorld takes a look at the early team news from both camps - including the outs and doubts.
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1. Newcastle United's English midfielder Sean Longstaff (C) vies with Arsenal's Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka (R) during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium in London on January 3, 2023. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Ben Stansall / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images)
2. Mohammed Elneny - out
The Egyptian midfielder will miss the rest of the campaign after undergoing knee surgery.
3. Emil Krafth - out
Krafth picked up an ACL injury in August, and while the Swede is approaching the latter stages of his recovery, he’s unlikely to play again this season. Photo: Gualter Fatia
4. Ryan Fraser - out
Fraser is unlikely to play for Newcastle again after falling out with Eddie Howe. The Scottish winger has spent the last couple of months training with the under-21s. Photo: Jan Kruger