Arsenal’s defensive issues continue to escalate as they prepare for their upcoming clash against Newcastle United.
The Gunners face an uncertain defensive lineup, with Gabriel Magalhaes’s knee injury raising further concerns after he was forced off in last week’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool. The Brazil international tried to play through the pain after a tough duel with Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez but had to be substituted shortly after.
Adding to Arsenal’s defensive troubles, William Saliba remains suspended following a straight red card against Bournemouth, meaning he’ll also miss the crucial match against Chelsea on November 10. Gabriel’s injury, described as “not that bad” by Mikel Arteta, kept him out of the Carabao Cup victory over Preston, and he has yet to return to full training, with Arsenal’s medical team closely monitoring his condition.
Ben White, another pivotal figure in Arteta’s defense, played the entire Liverpool match but missed the recent Preston game due to minor struggles at the end of Sunday’s fixture. Arteta is hopeful White may be ready for Newcastle, but the defender’s status remains uncertain.
Meanwhile, summer signing Jurrien Timber also had a brief scare after he was taken off in a recent game; however, he managed a full 90-minute performance against Preston, likely securing his spot for Saturday’s match.
Arsenal’s injury list also includes Riccardo Calafiori (knee), Martin Odegaard (ankle), Kieran Tierney (thigh), and Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee), each of whom is expected to miss the next few games. Odegaard, however, has resumed light training and may return before the November international break.
As the Gunners prepare for this high-stakes match, Arteta is likely to field a 4-4-2 formation to adapt to the team’s injury limitations. A potential lineup against Newcastle includes Raya in goal, with Partey, Timber, Kiwior, and White forming a makeshift defense, if White is fit. The midfield and attack could see Rice, Saka, Merino, Martinelli, Havertz, and Trossard working to maintain Arsenal’s offensive edge.
With Newcastle vs. Arsenal set to kick off at 12:30 pm on Saturday, November 2, fans can catch the live broadcast on TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports Ultimate, or stream it on the Discovery+ app.
