Arsenal vs Newcastle United LIVE: Early team news from the Emirates

LIVEUpdated 2 mins agoArsenal vs Newcastle United LIVE: Early team news from the Emirates as changes expectedLive updates from the Emirates Stadium as Eddie Howe's Newcastle United take on Mikel Arteta's title hopefuls Arsenal in tonight's Premier League clashCommentsLee Ryder Chief Newcastle United Writer and Sean McCormick Newcastle United reporterNewcastle United can put another nail in Arsenal's title hopes tonight, but to do so they will have to rediscover the form they have been lacking for several weeks now. Eddie Howe's side head to North London without a win in their last three Premier League matches, although they did record a 1-0 victory against Chelsea on their last visit to the capital in March.

United are without the injured Anthony Gordon and Tino Livramento, but Bruno Guimaraes could return to the startling line-up today after several months out. He could be one of several changes to the side, with Howe looking for a response from his players.

Arsenal know they must win to keep the pressure on Man City, who have drawn level with the Gunners in the title race, but will be aware United beat them three times last season. We'll have all the latest from the Emirates as it happens.

New UpdatesToday16:04 BSTGary Neville: Newcastle look disinterestedA scathing verdict from the former Manchester United defender, who is on commentary for tonight's match for Sky Sports. He said:

CommentsSean McCormickToday15:59 BSTEddie Howe sends 'bigger changes' transfer warning to Newcastle stars amid challenge for £124m duoEddie Howe has warned his Newcastle United players there 'potentially might be bigger changes' in the summer transfer window than previously thought if performances don't improve between now and the end of the season.

The Magpies are in a dreadful run of form at the moment having lost eight of their last 11 Premier League matches. The pressure has ramped up on Howe as a result with Newcastle 14th in the Premier League table with five matches of the season remaining.

However, Howe retains the backing of the club's decision makers and is expected to lead the club's rebuild in the summer ahead of next season.

And as they head to North London to face Arsenal this weekend, the Newcastle head coach has shifted the pressure on to his players to prove they deserve to move forward with the club into next season.

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CommentsSean McCormickToday15:50 BSTEddie Howe verdict on PIF visit after Yasir Al-Rumayyan's Newcastle United messageEddie Howe has played down talk that the visit of PIF chiefs next week will have any bearing on his future as Toon boss.

Howe insists the meeting, which is expected to see Yasir Al-Rumayyan jet into the North-East for face to face talks, is very much a routine affair despite a slide from fifth place to 14th in the table. This week, Newcastle briefed journalists to say that Howe still "retains full backing" from the powers that be, and the meeting is designed to support the manager.

With fans split on Howe's position, the final five games of the season could not prove to be crucial in terms of the mood on Tyneside. Howe, speaking at his Press conference, said:

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CommentsSean McCormick‌Today15:35 BSTYoane Wissa ending is crying shame as Newcastle United transfer decision edges closerYou've got to feel sorry for Yoane Wissa after a season of deep disappointment in a black and white shirt.

If Wissa does not start at Arsenal, it means his number of Premier League starts will be in single digits following on from a £55m move from Brentford last summer. Back then Newcastle were keen to make a big statement about Wissa's arrival with a grand opening interview, the presentation of the No 9 shirt and even a message from Papiss Cisse to club channels.

Fast forward to the final game in April, and Wissa has not started a game since early February with no chances afforded for the man who fired in 19 goals for the Bees last term. With Newcastle in dire need of goalmouth action, to see Wissa demoted to the role of rarely used sub is hard to watch.

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CommentsLee RyderToday15:31 BSTWATCHToday's venueA look inside the Emirates Stadium ahead of Arsenal vs Newcastle United.

CommentsSean McCormickToday15:20 BSTSean McCormick's Newcastle XINewcastle tasted success against Arsenal in the Carabao Cup semi-finals last season by going with three centre-halves and it wouldn't surprise me if Eddie Howe goes that way again.

I would set up in a hybrid 3-4-3 in possession and 5-4-1 out of possession system which would see the experience of Dan Burn coming back into the side alongside Malick Thiaw and Sven Botman.

I feel like the experience of Kieran Trippier coming back into the side will be vital at right-wing-back with Lewis Hall occupying the left-wing-back position.

If Bruno Guimaraes is fit enough to start he simply has to alongside Sandro Tonali in midfield. Anthony Elanga struggled last weekend but his pace could hurt Arsenal on the break. Joe Willock had great success starting in the same system against PSG on the left-wing so I would mimic that at the Emirates Stadium.

Up front I would start with Nick Woltemade. Will Osula has scored two goals in two games but he isn't the long term answer and I am far from convinced by him as a forward.

The other big call I would make is in goal. Nick Pope has made mistakes but he simply saves more shots than Aaron Ramsdale does. Ramsdale won't be here next season but there is a chance Pope is, even as a number two to a new arrival. It feels counter-productive to continue with Ramsdale in goal with all those things considered.

My NUFC XI: Pope; Thiaw, Botman, Burn; Trippier, Guimaraes, Tonali, Hall; Elanga, Willock; Woltemade

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CommentsSean McCormick‌Today15:14 BSTEddie Howe's spiky reply to Anthony Gordon question as new Tino Livramento fear emergesNewcastle United has dismissed any suggestion that talk surrounding Anthony Gordon's future is affecting his ability to pick the England international.

Gordon has not trained since last Thursday after picking up what was originally described as a "slight injury". Links with Bayern Munich have swirled around the club's Benton base, while there is also an argument around the fanbase that Gordon has an eye on the World Cup.

Gordon was ruled out of the 2-1 defeat to AFC Bournemouth with a hip flexor injury, and Howe confirmed that the Scouser would miss the trip to Arsenal. Whether he is available for the home clash with Brighton & Hove Albion remains to be seen.

There had been a hope from the coaching staff that Gordon would be involved in the final couple of sessions at Benton this week, but the ex-Everton man missed Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday's sessions and was not fit enough to train today.

Only last week there were concerns that Gordon, who had seen reports suggesting he was looking to explore a summer move, facing a negative reaction from fans. But it soon emerged before the kick off against AFC Bournemouth he had reported in with an injury.

Howe was then asked if he could afford to facilitate a culture where players can pick and choose games, Howe shut down any such suggestion.

Howe, speaking at his Press conference before the clash at Arsenal, told Chronicle Live: "Anthony Gordon is injured. 100%. So it's a non-question (about his commitment)."

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CommentsSean McCormickToday15:06 BSTEddie Howe has simple choice to make vs Arsenal to rediscover Newcastle quality that's been missingHowe touching on a lack of experience was telling given the pretty deliberate shift in his team selections since returning from the March international break.

Against Crystal Palace, he named a starting XI he described as 'youthful and dynamic'. Against Bournemouth, he went one extreme further. Not only was it the youngest Newcastle starting XI of his tenure, it was the youngest the club has named for 21 years.

None of the club's 'leadership group' of Bruno Guimaraes, Nick Pope, Dan Burn, Kieran Trippier or Jacob Murphy made the starting XI and Sandro Tonali became the 11th player to captain a Newcastle side during Howe's time in charge.

If Howe was looking for some of the younger players in the group to step up to the mantle in their absence then they failed to do so. It was telling that it was Trippier sent out to do the post-match press and the pre-match media for this game, too, despite the fact he is leaving the club in the summer.

When asked if this was a concern and whether it would alter his thinking to recall some of the experienced players to the starting XI, Howe admitted the manner of their performance in their 2-1 defeat to the Cherries has led to them reviewing their options.

"A lot can be made of the leadership group and we are very proud of our leadership group and the players that are in it," Howe told Chronicle Live. "We believe in that as a source to try and inspire leaders, develop leaders and for the younger players to try and aspire to be in that group.

"But I don't think we should make too much of if those guys aren't on the pitch because we have to pick a team based on ability, based on balance, based on, for me, I will always pick a team regardless of individual players that we feel gives us the best chance of winning.

"But, ideally, there is a sprinkling of experience in every team because you need that knowhow, you need that voice. I would agree that the team against Bournemouth didn't perform so we will review that and try and adjust things for the next game."

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CommentsSean McCormickToday15:02 BSTWATCHLee Ryder previews Arsenal vs NewcastleCommentsSean McCormick‌Today14:56 BSTLee Ryder's Newcastle XI Newcastle United need to do something drastic to bring their poor run of form to a halt in the capital against Arsenal.

With five games to go, Eddie Howe does not know what his strongest team is and has warned he does not make his selection based on transfer fees. But that's exactly what I'd be doing in this clash because make no doubt about Arsenal will be doing it.

It starts with restoring Nick Woltemade to the attack and I'd play Yoane Wissa either side of him with Harvey Barnes probably the best bet to make up the front three.

Lewis Miley, Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes must start in midfield to soak up any Arsenal pressure - and there will be plenty.

At the back I'm bringing back Dan Burn instead of Sven Botman with Kieran Trippier and Lewis Hall as full-backs.

Perhaps the time has come for Nick Pope to be back between the posts too.

My NUFC XI: Pope, Trippier, Thiaw, Burn, Hall, Miley, Bruno, Tonali, Wissa, Barnes, Woltemade

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CommentsLee RyderToday14:48 BSTIn place at the EmiratesCommentsLee RyderToday14:47 BSTMartin Odegaard programme notesThe Arsenal ace has had his say on Newcastle and commented: "Whatever their form has been like we know that they're a tough team to play and on their day they can beat anyone.

"They've shown that in a lot of games."

CommentsLee Ryder‌Today14:41 BSTHot conditions in the capital The sun is blazing outside the Emirates Stadium as the fans begin arriving for this crunch game. It's important for the Gunners as they look to keep title hopes alive.

For Newcastle, it is ensuring the season - if it isn't already - is not a total write off. Overheard outside some journalists saying the story is simple: "Arsenal win or Arsenal lose".

CommentsLee RyderToday14:38 BSTArsenal injury news for Newcastle United clash as Bukayo Saka update givenArsenal are set to receive a timely boost with both Bukayo Saka and Riccardo Calafiori available for selection ahead of their clash with Newcastle United..

The pair have been sidelined for varying periods in recent weeks through injury, but both now appear ready to play their part in the Gunners' Premier League title push. Speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday's encounter with the Magpies, Mikel Arteta confirmed: "No [issues].

"Bukayo is probably going to be in the squad. So good news. Riccardo in the squad." The Spanish manager also confirmed the match will come too soon for Jurrien Timber, who continues to remain unavailable.

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CommentsSean McCormickToday14:27 BSTNewcastle United set for squad upgrade as £69m star watched and 'big changes' expectedNewcastle United have been keeping an eye on Sporting Lisbon star Ousmane Diomande in recent months.

The 22-year-old has a long contract with Sporting, and the star who impressed over two legs against Arsenal in the Champions League this month has a release clause of £69m. There is talk that Sporting may well be open to taking less than Diomande's release clause, but the 6ft 3in star is not short of interested parties.

AC Milan and Crystal Palace have both tracked the skilful defender this season, while Newcastle's presence in the stands has been consistent for a longer period. Diomande is a player that head of recruitment Steve Nickson admires and one who could be a quality replacement if, as expected, Fabian Schar leaves the club at the end of his contract this summer.

At 22, the Ivory Coast international could well be deemed a part of the future for seasons to come and would certainly be part of a rebuild on Tyneside. The right-footed centre-back is more than a stopper and his trivela pass against Arsenal recently, which split the Gunners defence wide open, went viral on social media, netting over 500,000 views on TikTok no less.

He is exactly the elegant type of defender that has it all and somebody who be an upgrade on some of Eddie Howe's defensive options. His starting point, as things stand, is having Sven Botman, Dan Burn and Malick Thiaw as his three main centre-backs, presuming Schar leaves.

The arrival of a quality centre-back is vital, and it will be interesting to see how Newcastle facilitate that with other stars in other positions linked with a summer exit. Behind the scenes, the current backroom is braced for at least a couple of high-profile departures, but will get more assurances on them being replaced at next week's big meeting with PIF.

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CommentsSean McCormick‌Today14:20 BSTAlan Shearer's match predictionThe Newcastle United legend is confident about the Magpies' chances this afternoon, predicting an Arsenal win at the Emirates Stadium.

He told Betfair:

CommentsSean McCormickToday14:18 BSTPositive Kevin Keegan health update issued as Newcastle United legend set for public returnKevin Keegan is set to make his first public appearance after undergoing treatment for cancer.

The news of Keegan's illness resulted in a major outpouring of love from Newcastle fans and the football world back in January after the former star and manager announced he'd suffered ongoing abdominal symptoms. However, Keegan's friend Pete Graves has announced that Keegan is feeling better and ready to meet supporters once again at a major event at the Tyne Theatre on May

Sky Sports presenter Graves, who will host the May event, said: "The King is back in Newcastle in May in just five weeks at the Tyne Theatre.

"Kev has been going through a really tough time. He's been very poorly but the great news is he has responded well to his treatment and he is feeling a lot better. He is not out of the woods yet, but he is feeling strong enough to come out and see people, see his fans and tell his stories and relive wonderful memories, which he enjoys doing so much.

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CommentsSean McCormickToday14:13 BSTEarly team newsNewcastle United are without Anthony Gordon and Tino Livramento through injury, with Joelinton also missing the trip to North London through suspension.

It was better news on Bruno Guimaraes, though, who made his comeback from injury from the bench in last week's defeat to Bournemouth and there is hope he will be fit to return to the starting XI this afternoon.

CommentsSean McCormick‌Today14:04 BSTWelcomeHello and welcome to our live coverage of the Premier League clash between Arsenal and Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium. Stick with us for all of the build-up, updates, reaction and analysis throughout the day right here.