Credit: Imago

Evan Lloyd

Sun 26 April 2026 19:30, UK

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Newcastle United are in desperate need of an overhaul in the summer transfer window, including in the wide areas.

Eddie Howe provided a perfect example on Saturday, when he started Jacob Murphy and Jacob Ramsey on the wings as the Magpies lost 1-0 to Arsenal.

Newcastle were ultimately only narrowly beaten through Eberechi Eze’s stunning first-half strike, but they carried little attacking potency.

Yoane Wissa enjoyed the visitors’ best chance when he was found by Nick Woltemade and skied over in the final minutes.

Newcastle transfer chiefs have plenty of futures to consider this summer, ahead of a window expected to be full of financial constraints.

Eddie Howe must let Jacob Murphy go

Football Insider exclusively revealed last week that Howe is adamant that Murphy stays at Newcastle this summer, as he enters the final year of his contract.

The Englishman has been at St James’ Park for almost a decade, after joining from Norwich City in 2017.

The 31-year-old has been a valiant servant for Howe, enjoying his best season in the last campaign when he scored nine goals and provided 14 assists across all competitions.

But as is the case with many of Newcastle’s forwards, Murphy’s drop-off this season has been felt hard.

The winger has just four goals and four assists in 42 games across all competitions, and his deficiencies were on full show at the Emirates Stadium.

Murphy failed to create a chance, take a shot, complete a dribble or cross and lost nearly all of his duels against Piero Hincapie.

It was a dismal display from the 31-year-old, who was hooked by Howe after 66 minutes on the pitch.

Anthony Elanga failures emphasised by Murphy

While Murphy was starting for Newcastle on Saturday, their £55million summer signing in the same position sat on the bench.

Anthony Elanga’s move from Nottingham Forest has been disastrous so far, and Murphy would not be a topic of conversation in different circumstances.

The Swede came on for the final minutes of the game and delivered one good cross, but failed to get much change out of Hincapie.

With Anthony Gordon’s future in doubt this summer, Newcastle are facing an extremely cloudy situation on the wings.