Newcastle United’s season of “what ifs” has just taken another turn for the worse. As if a four-match losing streak wasn’t enough to dampen spirits on Tyneside, Eddie Howe has confirmed that the Magpies have been hit with a “double sad news” blow regarding two of their most influential players ahead of this Saturday’s daunting trip to the Emirates.
With European hopes fading into the rearview mirror and a crisis of confidence sweeping through the dressing room, the loss of Anthony Gordon and Tino Livramento feels like a knockout punch at the worst possible moment.
1. The Anthony Gordon Void
The most stinging news concerns Anthony Gordon. The £45m star, who has arguably been Newcastle’s most consistent creative spark this term, is a major doubt for the Arsenal clash.
Reports suggest that Gordon hasn’t touched the grass at Darsley Park all week. A lingering hip issue, which forced him to miss the recent 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth, has failed to settle. While Howe hinted that the injury isn’t necessarily season-ending, the timing is catastrophic. Gordon’s pace on the break was seen as the primary weapon to exploit an Arsenal side that might be feeling the “title jitters” after their recent loss to Manchester City.
Without Gordon’s directness and work rate, the Newcastle attack risks looking toothless against a Gunners defense that remains one of the meanest in the league.
2. Livramento’s Season in Jeopardy?
If Gordon’s absence is a tactical nightmare, Tino Livramento’s situation is a heartbreaking blow for a player who has fought so hard for consistency.
After being forced off against Bournemouth with a thigh problem, the initial prognosis was grim. Howe has confirmed that the young defender requires a second scan to determine the full extent of the damage. There are now genuine fears within the camp that we might not see Livramento again this season.
Losing a player of Tino’s versatility—someone who can cover both flanks with elite energy—leaves the Magpies’ backline dangerously thin, especially with Fabian Schär also sidelined following a foot operation.
A Squad Facing a “Crisis of Confidence”
In his pre-match briefing, Eddie Howe didn’t pull any punches. He admitted that the squad is currently suffering from a “breakdown of confidence.”
“One result in isolation might not be enough,” Howe admitted. “We need some momentum, a boost, a kick. When you’re on the back of the results we’ve had, there is a feeling internally that affects the team.”
Newcastle are currently stuck in mid-table mediocrity, and with every passing week, the prospect of finishing in the top ten looks increasingly slim. Individual errors have plagued the team, and without leaders like Gordon on the pitch, the uphill battle at the Emirates just got steeper.
Can the Magpies Defy the Odds?
Arsenal are wounded animals themselves after their loss to City, but they are still fighting for the Premier League title. Mikel Arteta will be smelling blood, knowing that Newcastle are arriving in London without their primary attacking outlet and a makeshift defensive line.
For Eddie Howe, the mission is now about survival and pride. He needs to find a way to galvanize a group that looks mentally and physically exhausted.
The big question remains: Who steps up in Gordon’s absence? Whether it’s a tactical shift or a backup player seizing a rare opportunity, Newcastle need a miracle in North London to stop the rot.
