Eddie Howe says Sven Botman’s availability at Arsenal tomorrow night will be a collaborative decision and will not be left in the player’s hands.
Botman made his first start in almost 10 months in Newcastle’s 2-1 win at Tottenham on Saturday after returning to full fitness following cruciate ligament surgery.
The Dutch international played for 92 minutes before finally making way for Lloyd Kelly as Newcastle secured their sixth consecutive victory in all competitions.
Eddie Howe on the Arsenal test:
“We have to be very good with the ball and solid defensively. We need to cause Arsenal problems the other way. I don’t think we should think too much about it, we just need to find the right combination. Let’s try to continue the good performances we have achieved… pic.twitter.com/7PC0IJeNOf
– Newcastle United (@NUFC) January 6, 2025
Their next assignment will also be in north London as they travel to the Emirates Stadium to face Arsenal in the first leg of their EFL Cup semi-final.
Asked if Botman would feature, Howe replied: “We have to talk to the player, the medical team, the experts. They will give me some answers about what we will do next with him.
“Sven is a competitor. He is extremely motivated for the team and for himself. He really wants to succeed in his career, so I have no doubt what he will say, but we have to, like I said, talk to other people and try to make the right decision.
Gordon in good form but two key absentees
Anthony Gordon is expected to be fit after suffering a facial cut this weekend, but the visitors will be without suspended duo Fabian Schar and Bruno Guimaraes.
Guimaraes has struck up a good rapport with Joelinton and Sandro Tonali in Newcastle’s midfield and Howe admits he will be a big miss.
He added: “One of Bruno’s greatest strengths is that he is always there for you, his appearance record has been brilliant for us, especially considering the physical effort he puts into every match.
“His training is good, he has been exceptional in every way, so to lose him, when he is such an important figure for us, is a big failure. But we have great players who can also take his place. Whoever I choose at that position, I think we’ll have a quality player coming through.
Longstaff likely to arrive
Sean Longstaff likely to replace the Brazilian Howe knowing that his team will have to be solid defensively.
“We have to be very good on the ball and solid defensively,” he said. “We need to cause Arsenal problems the other way. I don’t think we should think too much about it, we just need to find the right combination. Let’s try to continue the good performances we have had recently and try to win the match.
