Arsenal boost as Newcastle United 'devastated' by injury ahead of bogey clash

Arsenal have been handed a boost in their hopes of getting a result away at Newcastle United later this month in what has become somewhat of a bogey match for Mikel Arteta and the London outfit.

The Gunners have been beaten in four of their last five visits to St James’ Park and the fixture has become known for its feisty atmosphere and high drama ever since the controversial Anthony Gordon goal of November 2023 - Arteta believed it was a ‘disgrace’ that VAR had not intervened.

Last season, Eddie Howe’s side beat Arsenal 1-0 in the Premier League meeting on Tyneside and also got a positive 2-0 result in the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final. The Magpies of course went on to win that tournament.

Newcastle United to be without marquee signing against Arsenal

Arsenal have conceded just one goal so far this season and sit eight places above Newcastle United in 2nd. Their hopes of getting a result against their rivals are boosted by news that marquee summer signing Yoane Wissa will not return from injury in time to feature later this month.

Newcastle United paid £55 million to sign the talisman from Brentford this summer with Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson both quitting St James’ Park. Wissa is yet to make his debut for his new club and Howe has confirmed that his first outing won’t come any time soon.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of Newcastle United’s trip to AFC Bournemouth on Sunday, he said: “Yeah, it is impactful, and of course, everyone wanted Yoane to be fit. Personally, I wouldn’t have done anything different, we did everything we could as a football club to try and look after Yoane.

Magpies ‘devastated’ by Yoane Wissa injury

“Like with any footballer, when they go away and they're on international duty, you’re not in control of the minutes they play and unfortunately, he gets injured. Now we just have to deal the best we can with that situation. We think he'll be out until the next international break, that is sort of a race on to be fit for that Brighton game, and hopefully he can make it.

“Of course, we're just devastated that he's injured, but nothing in our control. We've just got to try and get him fit as quickly as possible in the safest way, and then he's got a big part to play in our season.”

Wissa has been prolific against Arsenal in recent seasons, scoring on both his visits to the Emirates Stadium with Brentford in the 2023/24 and 2024/25 seasons. His goal helped the Bees to a point in a 1-1 draw in April. Newcastle United hope that Wissa could be fit to make his debut against Brighton in October following the next international break.

In other news, Premier League team of the season so far as Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham stars feature.