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Arsenal face Newcastle United in a crucial Premier League encounter on Saturday and there are nine players who could miss the clash at the Emirates Stadium
Up to NINE players could be forced to miss Arsenal's game against Newcastle United on Saturday, as the Gunners look to reignite their Premier League title bid. Mikel Arteta's side have endured a slump in form in recent weeks which has dented their hopes of winning a first top-flight in 22 years.
Back-to-back losses against Bournemouth and Manchester City have seen the Gunners lose their lead at the top of table, with City now in front on goal difference following a 1-0 win at Burnley on Wednesday.
Arteta's men, however, can regain top spot with a point against Newcastle, though it does feel as though maximum points are a must if they want to claim the title this season.
But Arteta could be without as many as four players for the visit of the Magpies. Mikel Merino is one confirmed absentee, with the Spaniard still out after undergoing surgery on a foot injury earlier this year.
Another expected to be out is Bukayo Saka, who hasn't featured for the Gunners since the Carabao Cup final in March and Arteta said before last Sunday's defeat to City that is "starting to do some stuff".
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The England international could, however, be in contention for next weekend's home game against Fulham.
Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber, meanwhile, are facing a race against time to be fit to face Newcastle.
Arteta said on April 17: "Some players are quite close, but the turnaround is short, so we will try to push everybody [tomorrow]. If they are in good condition, they will be part of us, and if not, they won't.
"They haven't been in the last few weeks, unfortunately."
As for Newcastle, Eddie Howe is poised to be without up to five players for the game. Emil Krafth is confirmed to be ruled out after having surgery on a knee injury in February, while Fabian Schar is still absent after going under the knife following an infection in his foot.
Joelinton is suspended after picking up his 10th yellow card in the defeat to Bournemouth last time out, while Arsenal transfer target Anthony Gordon is a doubt with a hip issue and Tino Livramento also might not feature.
Delivering an update on Gordon post-Bournemouth on April 18, Howe said: "With Anthony, we're unclear when he'll be back.
"We don't think it's a long-term injury, but whether he makes next week, we don't know. We'll have to see how he goes this week in training."
He added on Livramento: "For Tino, that's a huge blow for him and for us. I actually thought that Kieran's [Trippier] introduction at the start of the second half made us stronger, but then losing him was a big blow..."
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