Eddie Howe may have the option to include both Alexander Isak and Joe Willock in the lineup this weekend when Newcastle United faces Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. The Magpies aim to achieve a league double over the Gunners for the first time in nearly thirty years, following their victory at St James’ Park in November.
Newcastle’s prospects of achieving this feat have been significantly boosted by reports from the Mail indicating that both Isak and Willock have participated in training this week and could be available for selection in north London on Saturday night. Isak, who is Newcastle’s top scorer this season, has been absent from the team’s last three matches due to an injury sustained during last month’s triumph over Aston Villa.
Willock, on the other hand, hasn’t played since before the November international break and has only appeared six times in total this season due to hamstring and Achilles injuries. Despite this, he did play against his former team in the previous encounter and was part of the main talking point of the game, assisting Anthony Gordon’s decisive goal.
Following an extensive VAR review, it was determined that Willock had successfully kept the ball in play before delivering a cross to Joelinton, leading to Gordon’s close-range goal. VAR concluded that there was no foul or offside committed by Joelinton. Mikel Arteta, who escaped punishment for his post-match remarks, criticized the decision to validate the goal as “disgraceful.”
Newcastle United will also be concerned about Fabian Schar’s fitness as he left St James’ Park on Saturday with a bandaged wrist.
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