Newcastle United

Ciaran Kelly
Newcastle United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Eddie Howe was certainly not nursing a hangover following the dramatic defeat against Arsenal.

The Newcastle United head coach was so eager to get started that he even arrived into the media suite a minute early for his news conference ahead of Wednesday's match versus Union Saint-Gilloise.

Rather than sensing an adverse reaction to the weekend sucker punch, Howe instead said it should be a motivator for his side to "come back stronger" - and it needs to be.

Union may be Champions League debutants, but Newcastle cannot afford to just turn up against the Belgian champions, who beat PSV convincingly in their first ever game in the competition earlier this month.

And there was no danger of Howe and his staff underestimating Union following a quick turnaround from the weekend.

As well as personally reviewing his opponent, as always, Howe has familiarised his side with their new surroundings by training at Lotto Park on the eve of the game.

Howe did not always feel the need to do so when Newcastle last sat at Europe's top table a couple of years ago.

But this trip to Brussels feels significant as Newcastle look to rediscover some momentum and get their European campaign up and running.

Joelinton needed no reminding of that.

"We always learn in every game, every competition we play, every experience we have," the midfielder said. "We always try to learn something in defeats and in wins.

"I think the team has moved forward. Two years ago, I think we are a better team now.

"This season has not started the way we want, but we know the quality we have in our team. We have the confidence and we have experienced players to turn it on and I hope we can start tomorrow."

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Champions League game against Union Saint-Gilloise at Lotto Park (kick-off 17:45 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Howe is still waiting to find out the extent of Tino Livramento's injury so said he is "better off waiting before giving any indication on that because that could be a mistake".

• The rest of the squad is "in a pretty good place" and a decision will be made on the starting XI after training on Tuesday.

• He said the game against Arsenal was "physical" and required "a big output" so they want to make sure they have a "fresh" team. Howe added that the defeat "should be a motivator, not a hangover" after missing out "on a big point" in the closing stages of the game.

• On choosing to travel to Belgium on Tuesday to train: "We felt that getting to know our surroundings was important. It will be an important session for us today with the pitch and stadium. We've got here early, we feel settled and the journey time was minimal."

• The head coach said that the game being played in a neutral stadium "doesn't change much" as "it will be a very home based crowd."

• On the opponents: "They have started the season very strongly. Tactically they are interesting and they have two big strikers. I've been very impressed. It's going to be a tough one."

• He said Sven Botman and Dan Burn are both "outstanding" and have "different qualities" so he is "comfortable" that they will both be needed along the back line in different positions this season.

Charlotte Robson
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

I suppose at some point we are going to have to win another Premier League game. For a little while this weekend against Arsenal, it looked like we might. Then it looked like we might get a point. Then we lost.

Well, it's Arsenal, isn't it? They are a very good side! And we managed to hold them up for a good percentage of the game.

Newcastle's issues came with injuries and substitutions, which slowed us down. For all that I have been excited by squad depth and summer strengthening, we are still some way behind some of the more elite teams in terms of influencing the game from the bench.

We saw every side of Nick Pope in the game. It is rare I discuss the goalkeeper even though they are often my favourite player - but it is hard to look past his performance on Sunday.

In the first half, Pope was at his giant best and denied a couple of huge opportunities for Arsenal. In the second half - admittedly after we made some defensive substitutions - he was not able to contain them. You could see the frustration all over his face. And every other face in St James' Park.

I have a feeling draws and losses at this stage in the season may come back to haunt us as it draws to a close, but at the moment it is not something I'm going to get too upset about.

We have so far played three of last season's top six; teams who spent their summers further strengthening their squads.

We have not found a groove or built much momentum, but we usually do have those moments under Eddie Howe and so I have to believe we will again.

Let's see how the next week pans out before panicking.

Find more from Charlotte Robson at the True Faith: Newcastle United Podcast, external

Newcastle hold an interest in Real Madrid's Arda Guler. The 20-year-old Turkey midfielder has struggled to break into the Real starting XI and is also wanted by Tottenham and Arsenal. (Fichajes - in Spanish), external

Meanwhile, the Magpies want to offer defender Kieran Trippier a new deal, with the 35-year-old out of contract at the end of this season. (Chronicle), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Newcastle United and Arsenal, which saw Mikel Arteta's side stage a late comeback at St James' Park.

Here are some of your comments:

Newcastle fans

Duncan: Arsenal got what they deserved. We set up to not lose and not to win the game, which is always disappointing. It was such a negative approach, tactically speaking. Up until the 70th minute, Pope was 'man of the match' and then he reverted to type. Thiaw continues to impress at the back and seems to fit in rather well. The midfield was non-existent, much like the forward line. Tonali was doing his best to get the midfield into the game but failed miserably. Bruno was conspicuous by his absence, as was Murphy. Gordon was completely ineffective, only creating two noticeable instances of creative play. If this is Howe's approach to the season then you can keep it.

Dean: Eddie Howe needs to go. There is nothing new here and no skill like Alexander Isak. We were a one-trick pony team and now we just can't hit a barn door. We need new management with new ideas.

Ali: When will Newcastle's coaching team realise that sitting deep and pumping the ball back to the opposition is not working? Sometimes a team has to retain possession, but we are awful in that respect.

Richard: Surely we've got to look at Nick Pope's actions. He had a great first half then sold us out with poor distribution and was nowhere near the following corner.

Arsenal fans

Nigel: After Newcastle's goal I was honestly bewildered about the game plan and the line-up but, as always, Arteta silenced my inner question mark. The referee was awful and VAR was pointless. Overall, it was a hard-fought win which underpins our season aspirations; the Premier League title.

Brian: Arteta took the brake off and it showed.

Sean: We needed that win! I know it is early in the season but we need to keep the pressure on Liverpool. One concern is that Gyokeres doesn't score in big games, but maybe that is down to the way we play. He is a target man that needs crosses into the box.

Karl: We need more up front and chances need to be taken. While the defence does its thing, we need the attack to match. We can't keep relying on corners and free-kicks. A much needed win, but way harder than it needed to be.

Lou: I can feel the boys are determined now. We didn't start the season as great as we could have, but Saka is back and the whole team are together now.

Pundits Ellen White and Joe Hart join host Gabby Logan to bring you the action and talking points from Sunday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Aston Villa 3-1 Fulham

• Newcastle 1-2 Arsenal

Ciaran Kelly
Newcastle United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

It was a case of deja vu for Newcastle United.

Liverpool snatched a dramatic late victory at St James' Park with a stoppage-time goal last month, and Arsenal followed suit on Sunday.

Leading in the 83rd minute, Newcastle will rue how they didn't at least come away with a point after conceding two late goals, particularly after finding a way to take the lead from a set-piece of their own.

They had been struggling to fire from set-plays in the opening weeks of the season, despite the obvious height in the side.

But, in a clever short routine, Sandro Tonali played a one-two with Anthony Gordon before swinging over a cross. Towering Nick Woltemade barely had to jump to score his second goal in three games since completing his club record £69m move from Stuttgart last month.

With his side in front, the German forward was given a standing ovation when he was replaced by William Osula midway through the second half.

But Newcastle looked affected by defender Tino Livramento coming off on a stretcher after landing awkwardly.

The Magpies had not conceded a goal from a set-play in the opening weeks of the campaign, but were ultimately undone by two corners.

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe spoke to BBC Match of the Day after his side narrowly lost to Arsenal: "Two really late goals here at home hurts. We have to reflect and acknowledge that we weren't at our best. There was not a lack of effort but, from a footballing point of view, it wasn't quite there.

"The number of corners was probably the key thing. I think [Martin] Odegaard made a difference to their overall performance. The weight of pressure eventually told. So no lack of effort but the little details have cost us."

On the penalty calls: "You are always in the hands of VAR and I have to trust both decisions - one for us and one against us."

On the tight turnaround to Thursday's Champions League game: "The game is a good thing. After this painful defeat, it is good that we have another game soon after. We want to get confidence."

On Tino Livramento's injury: "It doesn't sound great. The fact he came off on a stretcher is not looking good."

Midfielder Sandro Tonali, who assisted Nick Woltemade, also spoke to BBC Match of the Day after the defeat: "It is difficult to lose a game in the last five minutes, but we are professionals and we have to change as quick as possible.

"We played a good game, especially in the first half, we were concentrated at all times. I think it was a good battle in the midfield, but we need to have maximum concentration over the whole 90 minutes. I want to take the positives into the next match.

"It was similar [to the Liverpool match] but I think we wanted to win the game until the last minute. I think sometimes we need to gain some experience and maybe a draw was the perfect result. I think we played a good game."

Did you know?

• Goalkeeper Nick Pope made four saves in the first half - his most in the opening 45 minutes of a Premier League home match since May 2023, which was also against Arsenal (4).

Hear more from Howe on BBC Sounds

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Newcastle's performance

What did you make of Arsenal's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Record signing Nick Woltemade starts for Newcastle United as the hosts make six changes against Arsenal.

Nick Pope, Jacob Murphy, Dan Burn, Tino Livramento and Sandro Tonali also come back into the starting line-up after head coach Eddie Howe rotated his side in their midweek win against Bradford City in the Carabao Cup.

It looks like Newcastle are going to line up with a back five.

Newcastle XI: Pope, Murphy, Thiaw, Botman, Burn, Livramento, Tonali, Guimaraes, Joelinton, Gordon, Woltemade

Substitutes: Ramsdale, Trippier, Lascelles, Barnes, Krafth, Osula, Elanga, Willock, Miley

Bukayo Saka is fit to make his first league start in a month as Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta also freshens up his side.

David Raya, Jurrien Timber, Gabriel, Riccardo Calafiori, Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice and Viktor Gyokeres come in following their midweek Carabao Cup win against Port Vale.

Arsenal XI: Raya, Timber, Mosquera, Gabriel, Calafiori, Zubimendi, Rice, Eze, Saka, Gyokeres, Saka

Substitutes: Kepa, Saliba, Lewis-Skelly, White, Odegaard, Norgaard, Merino, Martinelli, Dowman

There are two games in the Premier League on Sunday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Aston Villa v Fulham (14:00) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Newcastle United v Arsenal (16:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

Kick-off times BST

Follow Aston Villa v Fulham here

And Newcastle v Arsenal can be found here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Aston Villa v Fulham" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Newcastle v Arsenal".

Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds

This has become a bit of a grudge match since Newcastle's controversial win at St James' Park in 2023.

Arsenal have lost on their past three visits but even a draw might not help them much this time, because they cannot afford to fall any further behind Liverpool at the top of the table.

So, Mikel Arteta really needs a win, but how will he approach this? Does he regard Newcastle as a top side and, if so, will he play his robust midfield trio again in the middle of the park?

He seems to be quite negative and defensive in games like this, and I think it is a legitimate question to ask if Arsenal can win the Premier League by being that cautious.

Arteta really needs to go for it more. I am finding Newcastle difficult to predict because they do not score many goals, but they are still hard to beat.

There are a few reasons why I am backing Arsenal - Bukayo Saka is fit again and, if Eze starts as well, they will carry a real threat. They have got Gabriel Martinelli too - but what happens here is really down to Arteta.

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Matthew Hobbs
BBC Sport journalist

Newcastle United host Arsenal on Sunday in a battle of the two best defensive sides in the Premier League so far this season.

The Gunners have conceded just two goals in five league matches, while Eddie Howe's side have recorded a league-high four clean sheets so far.

BBC Sport examines who is best equipped to breach their opponent's defences before the meeting at St James' Park.

Newcastle's search for goals

The Magpies have the lowest expected goals tally against of any side (Arsenal are in second) in the Premier League this season but while Mikel Arteta's Gunners are also scoring freely, Eddie Howe's men are struggling to find the back of the net in the league.

The overriding factor has been the protracted departure of Alexander Isak, who scored 23 goals and provided six assists in last season's Premier League, meaning he was directly involved in more than 40% of Newcastle's goals in the competition, scoring 33.85% of them.

Isak was replaced with the signings of Brentford forward Yoane Wissa and Stuttgart striker Nick Woltemade, but Wissa was injured on international duty with DR Congo and will not feature for several weeks.

Woltemade scored on debut in the 1-0 win over Wolves, but Anthony Gordon was preferred as a false nine to start the Champions League defeat by Barcelona.

The Magpies did put four past League One leaders Bradford City at St James' Park on Wednesday, courtesy of two goals from young Danish striker William Osula to begin their Carabao Cup defence.

Woltemade started on the bench in midweek but will surely return to the starting XI on Sunday.

Newcastle's tally of three goals after five games is their third fewest at this stage of a Premier League season, behind 2005-06 (one) and 2015-16 (two), while their finishing this season is among the worst in the division.

However, should their attack start to click in the league in conjunction with their defensive solidity, they will prove a stern test for Arsenal.

Arsenal's set-piece threat

The Gunners represent a familiar threat to last season in terms of their own resolute defence and an attack built around scoring from set-plays.

Arsenal have scored 10 Premier League goals this season, ranking them joint second overall, while their expected goals tally of 3.5 from set-pieces is the highest in the competition.

The north Londoners also won in the EFL Cup in midweek, with Eberechi Eze scoring his first goal for the club in the victory at League One Port Vale.

Arteta has had to manage injury issues in this campaign - the loss of Noni Madueke during the 1-1 draw at Manchester City last weekend meant that Arsenal have sustained an injury in every Premier League game so far - although the highest net spend in the league of nearly £250m over the summer means his squad is well equipped to deal with any absences.

Arteta will still prefer as many of his big-hitters to be available as possible to travel to Tyneside given Arsenal's recent record in this fixture.

Newcastle have won their past three home games against his side without conceding a goal - they could win four in a row at home to the Gunners for the first time since the 1960s.

Listen to BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra commentary of Newcastle v Arsenal at 16:30 BST on Sunday