Newcastle United’s top scorer Alexander Isak has been ruled out of Sunday’s high-stakes Premier League clash against Arsenal due to a minor groin injury, the club confirmed via their official channels before kickoff.
The Swedish striker, who has netted 23 goals in 33 EPL games this season, was expected to spearhead the Magpies attack in a match with major UEFA Champions League implications.
Instead, Eddie Howe has been forced into a late reshuffle, starting Callum Wilson, for just his second league start of the campaign up front.
Isak’s absence is a blow to Newcastle’s ambitions. Sitting in third place before kickoff, the Magpies know victory at the Emirates Stadium would lift them up to second and secure UCL qualification.
Isak, 25, scored the winner against Arsenal in November at St James’ Park and opened the scoring in a 2–0 Carabao Cup victory at the Emirates in January.
“Wilson will make just his second league start of the campaign in place of leading scorer Alexander Isak, who misses out with a minor groin injury.”
📲 Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp
The injury woes don’t stop there for Newcastle. Vice-captain Kieran Trippier remains sidelined with a calf issue with Joelinton, Matt Targett, and Lewis Hall also unavailable, with return dates ranging from late May to July.
Wilson, who has 16 league appearances but no goals this season, carries the weight of Newcastle’s attack as the club seek a return to Europe’s elite.
Arsenal vs Newcastle United team news
Arsenal
Starting XI: David Raya; Ben White, William Saliba, Jakub Kiwior, Miles Lewis-Skelly; Thomas Partey, Declan Rice, Martin Ødegaard; Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard
Substitutes: Neto — Riccardo Calafiori, Kieran Tierney, Oleksandr Zinchenko — Jorginho, Jack Henry-Francis, Ethan Nwaneri — Raheem Sterling, Kai Havertz
Newcastle United
Starting XI: Nick Pope; Tino Livramento, Fabian Schär, Sven Botman, Dan Burn; Jacob Murphy, Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimarães; Harvey Barnes, Anthony Gordon, Callum Wilson
Substitutes: Martin Dúbravka, John Ruddy — Emil Krafth, Jamaal Lascelles — Sean Longstaff, Lewis Miley, Joe Willock — Will Osula, Sean Neave
Newcastle United news and related links
