Anthony Gordon axed, Emil Krafth starts – Newcastle United predicted XI v Arsenal
Eddie Howe has some difficult choices to make as Newcastle United prepare for a key Premier League clash against Arsenal.
The Magpies travel to the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, 18 May, with Champions League qualification firmly in their grasp after beating Enzo Maresca‘s Chelsea last weekend.
Defeating the Blues without the likes of Joelinton, Kieran Trippier, and Lewis Hall, Howe may have to take a similar squad to North London, though Joe Willock could recover in time for the game.
While Sven Botman returned to the starting XI for the first time since February, the Dutchman took quite the knock and could be unavailable once again, or possibly just dropped to the bench.
Anthony Gordon to be replaced by the returning Joe Willock
While Anthony Gordon has been the first-choice left-winger for Newcastle for most of the campaign, his form has dramatically tailed off, with zero goal contributions in his last 10 appearances.
Therefore, Willock could be drafted back into the lineup should he be fit enough to start, joining Aston Villa-linked star Harvey Barnes and Alexander Isak in the final third.
With Tripper unlikely to be involved, a back-five formation seems the most sensible prediction, with Emil Krafth coming in for Botman, sliding in alongside Fabian Schar and Dan Burn.
That would leave Jacob Murphy and Tino Livramento occupying the wing-back positions against a tough Arsenal side, with Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes expected to hold down the midfield without Joelinton.
Newcastle United could finish above Arsenal in the Premier League
The race for a top-five finish in the Premier League is really heating up, but the Magpies should only be looking above them, only separated from second place by two points.
| Premier League standings | Points |
| 2. Arsenal | 68 |
| 3. Newcastle United | 66 |
| 4. Chelsea | 66 |
| 5. Aston Villa | 66 |
| 6. Man City | 65 |
A win at the Emirates Stadium could see Mikel Arteta placed under even more pressure from Arsenal fans, also sending a message to the rest of the league ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
The Magpies have lost just one of their last 10 matches across all competitions, and with the Gunners facing five matches without a victory, Howe’s side have every chance of securing all three points.