Before the pivotal Newcastle vs. Arsenal match, Eddie Howe provides a “big” update on Alexander Isak’s injury.
Ten days before Newcastle United takes on Arsenal at St James’ Park, they have already suffered two serious injury blows.
Alexander Isak sustained a groin injury during Newcastle United’s Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain. Eddie Howe has provided an update on the player. The 24-year-old striker, who was previously strongly linked to a move to Arsenal, was replaced by Callum Wilson after just 25 minutes or so.
Isak was left out of the most recent Sweden squad to get some rest because he has had multiple groin problems this season. The Magpies’ manager stated on TNT Sports that while the knock “doesn’t look serious,” it will “be enough to keep him out.”
In ten days, Newcastle will play host to the Gunners at St. James’ Park on Saturday after facing Wolves at Molineux this weekend and Manchester United in the Carabao Cup round of 16. It appears to be a repeat of his groin issue, Howe added. Although it doesn’t appear serious, it will be sufficient to keep him out, and his quality will be greatly missed.”
In addition, Jacob Murphy sustained a knock against PSG that Howe considers to be “quite serious.” He continued: “With Jacob, it looks quite serious – dislocation potentially of his shoulder so that’s never a good thing to see.”
“That was the blow for us – we have a small squad as it is and with all the games we’ve got to come, that is probably the most disappointing thing from tonight,” Howe continued, discussing the effects of the two injuries.
When Howe was subsequently questioned about his general assessment of the PSG match, the Newcastle manager disclosed the areas in which his team is vulnerable. He declared: “We had a difficult game. I felt that we weren’t where we needed to be in the first half.
“Tactically, I felt they were strong and presented us with challenges in key areas. We were also a little careless with the ball, as evidenced by the goal we actually gave up. We were much better in the second half, in my opinion, and all we needed was for the ball to go in for us, which sadly didn’t happen.”
Rio Ferdinand is concerned about Howe and his team’s lack of depth, especially considering that Newcastle will be playing some major teams in the coming weeks, including Arsenal. The former defender for Manchester United stated: “You have to compete and be ready for every single game when you are in these major competitions. There are big games every week.”
“I believe Eddie Howe mentioned the team’s depth as well as the injuries they sustained today; both of these factors will be discouraging and cause them concern as they approach this crucial game series.
Rio Ferdinand is concerned about Howe and his team’s lack of depth, especially considering that Newcastle will be playing some major teams in the coming weeks, including Arsenal. The former defender for Manchester United stated: “You have to compete and be ready for every single game when you are in these major competitions. There are big games every week.”
“I believe Eddie Howe mentioned the team’s depth as well as the injuries they sustained today; both of these factors will be discouraging and cause them concern as they approach this crucial game series.
