Arsenal get given Premier League title race boost as club release surgery statement

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Arsenal's upcoming Premier League opponent, Newcastle United, have been handed a major injury blow

One of Arsenal’s upcoming opponents in the Premier League have been handed a major injury blow. The Gunners are due to face Newcastle United next month as the title race enters its final weeks.

Arsenal currently have a nine-point lead over Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table, although they have played one game more than their title rivals.

The Gunners are scheduled to face Newcastle on April 25, a few weeks after the Premier League resumes following the international break, and it seems that the Magpies will be without one of their key players.

Newcastle have confirmed that Sven Botman has undergone surgery after suffering a head injury during their 2-1 defeat to Sunderland in the Tyne-Wear derby on Sunday afternoon.

Botman was withdrawn in the first half as a concussion substitute for Newcastle, and now the Tyneside club have offered an update on the defender’s fitness.

“Newcastle United defender Sven Botman has undergone successful surgery on a facial fracture,” the statement from Newcastle read.

“Following concussion protocol, the Dutchman was substituted after suffering the injury during the second half of Sunday's game against Sunderland at St. James' Park.

“Sven is not expected to be sidelined for an extended period and hopes to be available again during the closing weeks of the season. Everybody at the club wishes Sven a swift recovery.”

As a result of the injury, Newcastle expect that Botman will be unavailable for several weeks, which likely means that the defender will be sidelined for the clash against Arsenal on April 25.

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Eddie Howe’s team were without Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali, Lewis Miley, Fabian Schar and Emil Krafth for the defeat to Sunderland through injury, but are expected to welcome back some players to the matchday squad in the weeks ahead.

Newcastle have Premier League matches against Crystal Palace and Bournemouth after the international break, before facing Arsenal towards the end of next month.

The Gunners’ schedule, by comparison, is much busier with fixtures in three competitions across next month.

Mikel Arteta’s side will take on Southampton on April 4 in their next match as they look to reach the semi-final of the FA Cup and bounce back from their defeat to Man City in the Carabao Cup final.

After that, Arsenal will take on Sporting Lisbon in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final before returning to Premier League duties on April 11 at home to Bournemouth.