Eddie Howe says Sven Botman's presence at Arsenal tomorrow night will be a collaborative decision and not left in the player's hands.
Botman made his first start in nearly 10 months in Newcastle's 2-1 win over Tottenham on Saturday after regaining full fitness following cruciate ligament surgery.
The Netherlands international played for 92 minutes before finally making way for Lloyd Kelly as Newcastle recorded their sixth successive win in all competitions.
Eddie Howe in the Arsenal test:
“We have to be really good off the ball and strong defensively. We have to cause Arsenal problems the other way. I don't think we should overthink it, we just need to get that combination right. Let's try and continue the good performances we've had.” .. pic.twitter.com/7PC0IJeNOf
– Newcastle United (@NUFC) January 6, 2025
Their next assignment will also be in north London as they visit the Emirates Stadium to face Arsenal in the first leg of their EFL Cup semi-final.
Asked whether Botman would participate, Howe said: “We have to talk to the player, the medical team and the experts. They will give me some answers about what we will do with him next.
“Sven is a competitor. He is very driven for the team and himself. He wants to do really well in his career, so I have no doubt about what he will say, but we need, as I said, to talk to other people and try to come to the right decision.”
Gordon is decent but two key absentees
Anthony Gordon is expected to be fit after suffering a facial injury at the weekend, but the visitors will be without suspended duo Fabian Schar and Bruno Guimarães.
Guimarães has formed a good understanding with Joelinton and Sandro Tonali in Newcastle's midfield, and Howe admitted he would be a big miss.
He added: “One of Bruno's biggest strengths is that he is always there for you. His appearance record has been great for us, especially when you consider the physical effort he puts in every game.
“His coaching is good, he was exceptional at everything, so losing him, when he is a pivotal figure for us, is a big loss. But we have senior players who can fill his shoes as well. Whoever I would choose in this position, I think we would have a quality player.” “
Longstaff will likely come
Sean Longstaff is likely to deputize for the Brazilian Knowing Howe his team would need to be strong defensively.
He added: “We have to be good with the ball, and strong in defence. “We have to cause Arsenal problems the other way. I don't think we should overthink it, we just need to get that mix right. “Let's try to continue the good performances we've had recently and try to win the game.”
