Eddie Howe's Newcastle Side Faces Tough Test at Arsenal

Eddie Howe's injury-plagued Newcastle side faces a tough challenge at Arsenal as they push for Champions League qualification.

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe acknowledged that his injury-plagued side faces a challenging finish to the season.

Newcastle will visit Arsenal on Sunday, still needing a win to guarantee their Champions League spot after sitting in third place, with the top five teams qualifying for the competition.

Howe said on Friday morning: “We're light. January played a part in that as we lost two players from the squad. I think we've done really well this season to manage a small squad.

“I think our injury record this season has been been very good in part. We've managed to keep the majority of the players fit.

Eddie Howe on chasing UCL qualification:

"It's not done yet. The picture can change game to game and I think we've got to be really focused on our next game and trying to win it. We have been, our preparation has been good and the focus is there from the players. Nothing is… pic.twitter.com/WGI6ljaqLV

— Newcastle United (@NUFC) May 16, 2025

“You're always gonna get one or two injuries, but yeah, I think we're in the position with our squad where if you get, and sometimes that can happen, a run of injuries and it can look thin very quickly, so fingers crossed we can maintain our strength to the end.”

Newcastle United's Sven Botman has suffered another knee injury.

“No, no, that's not the case at all. We don't think it's a serious one," said Eddie Howe, reassuring fans that it doesn't appear to be another ACL injury.

“I think I can sense from him that he's frustrated. I've been there in the majority of the second half of my career where you're getting disappointments, things are coming at you and you can't necessarily control them.

“That's the nature of the sport, sometimes you'll have an idea where an injury comes from, sometimes it'll just come out of the blue and there's nothing you can do about it.

“I think Sven's been really unfortunate for the last two occasions, there's absolutely nothing you can do, it's part of his occupation.

“He's brave, he's a wholehearted player, which he needs to be in his position, and naturally you're gonna come out on the wrong side of those challenges sometimes and most importantly, there's no long term damage.

”Because he's such an important player for us, you've seen every time he's played this season, the contribution that he's given the team.”

Champions League Qualification Not Done Yet

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe emphasized that their Champions League qualification is not yet secured ahead of their match against Arsenal.

“It's not done yet. The picture can change game to game and I think we've got to be really focused on our next game and trying to win it,” Howe said, highlighting the importance of staying focused.

“We have been, our preparation has been good and the focus is there from the players. Nothing is achieved until it's achieved. We have to be single minded in that and not get distracted.”

Eddie Howe on his Manager of the Season nomination:

"I always think it's nice to be nominated for different things because ultimately it hopefully means you've had a successful season so I'm proud to be on that list. I'm also proud for Alex [on his Player of the Season… pic.twitter.com/MQbJBGhq6l

— Newcastle United (@NUFC) May 16, 2025

“We need to be really focused on our next game and try and win it, which we will do and we have done this week, I think the preparation's been good, the focus has been there from the players.

“I think the the outside noise will always be swayed by how you've done and it's positive - but nothing's achieved until it's achieved, so we have to be really single-minded in that and not getting distracted.”