Newcastle United

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Newcastle midfielder Joelinton says he and his team-mates "are professional" and not letting the outside noise around Alexander Isak's departure affect their season.

The Brazil international hopes everyone can now move on from the saga - that dragged on all summer - and focus on bedding in new additions Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa.

"We came back to the club to do our best," said Joelinton. "We had a good pre-season.

"We know the noise around, but we are professional. We kept the focus and do what we have to do on the pitch, and everyone has done well.

"We wish Alex the best. He did well for the club. Now he's gone and we have to focus on the players that are here in the squad and keep going.

"They [Woltemade and Wissa] are both great players with a lot of quality and are going to add a lot to the squad.

"Nick is doing well so far. Wiss is unlucky to pick up the injury, but we hope he's going to recover quickly.

"We believe in ourselves and know we can play against anyone.

"When he starts to play, we will try to help him and hope he settles quickly and scores a lot of goals for us."

Ciaran Kelly
Newcastle United reporter

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A lot has changed at Newcastle United.

It is approaching four years since Eddie Howe took charge of his first game on the touchline against Arsenal.

There is likely to only be one survivor from his starting line-up that afternoon when the teams meet on Sunday - and that is Joelinton, who has since been reborn as a combative midfielder.

As well as an overhaul in personnel, there has been a real shift in mentality - not least in this fixture.

Newcastle previously had an awful record against Arsenal, but Howe's team have won five of the past nine meetings and often found a way to get under the skin of Mikel Arteta's side.

There has been needle in these matches and rather than downplaying that edge, Howe has long told his players they play better when they hit that "sweet spot".

Newcastle will certainly need to be aggressive at St James' Park on Sunday.

"It's always been competitive against Arsenal in the games that I've been here," said Howe.

"There has been an edge to those games because both teams are desperate to win. We encourage that. The more competitive we are, the better we play - so we need to bring that side of our game.

"We have players that really respond to that type of game."

It would, therefore, be a surprise if veterans Kieran Trippier and Dan Burn did not come back into the side after the pair were rotated midweek, while Jacob Murphy is also in contention to feature as he continues to manage an Achilles issue.

The trio are among those who know what it takes to get a result against Arsenal – and Newcastle will certainly need that know-how at the weekend.

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Melissa Edwards
BBC Sport journalist

Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Arsenal at St James' Park (kick-off 16:30 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• There are no major injuries following Newcastle's Carabao Cup victory over Bradford City on Wednesday, but there are a "couple of players to check" on before Sunday.

• Jacob Murphy is fit and available to face Arsenal after missing out on the midweek squad, but the Magpies are "manging his workload" as he battles an ongoing Achilles tendon issue.

• Meanwhile, Jacob Ramsey's recovery is going "really well" after he sustained an injury against Leeds last month, with his return set for the other side of the next international break in October.

• Howe said record signing Nick Woltemade cannot be compared to recent number nines at Newcastle because he has a "different profile", but the Magpies boss is "really impressed" with the start he has made.

• On facing Arsenal: "It's always been competitive against Arsenal in the games that I've been here, and there has been an edge to those games because both teams are desperate to win. We encourage that. The more competitive we are, the better we play - so we need to bring that side of our game."

• Howe has won his past three home games against the Gunners but said he will not be thinking about that this weekend and only sees it as a "fresh game and fresh opportunity to impress".

• He added: "We draw a line under the past. The past is irrelevant but you need to take whatever confidence you can so we'll look to do that, but Arsenal are a good team."

Listen to more from Howe on BBC Sounds

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

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

Newcastle are among the clubs keeping an eye on the situation of France midfielder Eduardo Camavinga, 22, as he considers an exit from Real Madrid. (Football Insider), external

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

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Joelinton spoke to BBC Radio Newcastle after Wednesday's EFL Cup victory over Bradford City: "I enjoyed myself - not only because I scored two goals, but the performance in general was very good. It gives us the confidence to push on.

"It has been a difficult start to the season for me. I hope I can keep going, be injury-free and play my best football.

"Like the Premier League and Champions League, [the EFL Cup] is very important for us. We want to attack every competition and win every game.

"We now focus on the Premier League again. I am very excited [to play Arsenal] - we had great games against them last season."

Hear more from Joelinton on BBC Sounds

Ciaran Kelly
Newcastle United reporter

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Newcastle ended up scoring as many goals in 90 minutes against Bradford as they did in their previous five games combined.

It was the first time since April - a 5-0 win over Crystal Palace - they had bagged four goals in a game and it could have been more as the dominant hosts had 27 shots, 11 efforts on target and 66 touches in the opposition box.

Newcastle face sterner tests ahead yet it still felt a noteworthy night to rebuild confidence in front of goal.

For context, a blunt attack mustered just one shot on target against Bournemouth and the black-and-whites have only scored three times in their opening five league fixtures.

When it comes to shot conversion (5.6%) and big chance conversion (28.6%), Newcastle have posted some of the worst top-flight returns, while only Aston Villa have scored fewer goals (one).

But Joelinton and William Osula scored timely doubles here.

With three goals, 22-year-old Osula is now the club's top scorer this term, having also found the net against champions Liverpool last month.

Given Yoane Wissa's absence with a knee injury, and record signing Nick Woltemade needing time to adjust to the physicality of the Premier League, it was a welcome performance from Osula, who attracted interest from Eintracht Frankfurt last month.

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Newcastle boss Eddie Howe, speaking after the 4-1 win over Bradford: "Very professional. I thought the guys were excellent. It was always going to be a tough game. Bradford are flying at the top of their league so we had to do everything right in terms of our preparation.

"I thought we payed with a lot of quality in both halves - really good rhythm, really good attitude, and good to see us score goals."

On his team selection: "The lads are very aware of the strength in depth, so everyone in their position will be looking over their shoulder.

"You need that strength in depth. It keeps everyone on their toes. I don't think there can be any complacency when you play. A bad game can see you miss football and no-one wants that."

On two-goal William Osula: "He's very driven. Will has got great attitude to his work and his career. He's very ambitious. He wants to play as all players do, but he is now justifying that by his training performances and when he plays on the pitch.

"We have done a lot of work with him and will continue to do that for his benefit to try to get him to be the very best player he can be."

• Hear more from Howe on BBC Sounds

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The fourth-round fixtures of the EFL Cup have been confirmed:

• Arsenal v Brighton

• Grimsby Town v Brentford

• Swansea City v Manchester City

• Newcastle United v Tottenham

• Wrexham v Cardiff City

• Liverpool v Crystal Palace

• Wolves v Chelsea

• Wycombe v Fulham

Ties to be played in the week of 27 October

Newcastle United have made seven changes as the holders begin their defence of the Carabao Cup against Bradford City at St James' Park.

Newcastle XI: Ramsdale; Krafth, Thiaw, Botman, Hall, Guimaraes, Miley, Joelinton, Elanga, Osula, Gordon.

Subs: Pope, Trippier, Livramento, A Murphy, Lascelles, Tonali, Willock, Barnes, Woltemade.

Bradford manager Graham Alexander has made five changes.

Bradford XI: Walker, Halliday, Touray, Byrne, Power, Humphrys, Kelly, Leigh, Powell, Pointon, Pennington.

Subs: Hilton, J Wright, Neufville, Cook, Sarcevic, McIntyre, T. Wright, Metcalfe, Lapslie.

There are four games in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, all involving Premier League sides, and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Huddersfield v Manchester City - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Newcastle v Bradford

• Tottenham v Doncaster - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 3

• Port Vale v Arsenal (20:00) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

Kick-off times 19:45 BST unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to 5 Live commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Huddersfield v Man City" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Port Vale v Arsenal", for instance.

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

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We asked for your views on whether Eddie Howe should hand more minutes to Nick Woltemade against Bradford City in the Carabao Cup or keep the striker wrapped in cotton wool for their next Premier League match against Arsenal.

Here are some of your replies:

Steve: Yes, we have to start 'Big Nick'. Our best chances have been created in the first half so start him off, let him get the chances created for him and hopefully he can score a couple of goals. Then let Will Osula have the last half hour or second half.

Robert: Definitely play Woltemade. This is a chance to score some cheap goals, against weaker opposition, and build his confidence.

John: Wrapping Woltemade in cotton wool is nonsense! He needs to rapidly acclimatise to English football. He needs to integrate with his team-mates and learn their tactics. He needs to build a rapport with the fans and thrive on the confidence that gives him.

Richard: It is an early cup round so we need to play some peripheral players. That centre forward position is vital though, so Woltemade has to play. His height will frighten the League One side - top of their league or not.

David: We paid 60-odd-million for him. He is only 23 years old. PLAY HIM!

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Former Newcastle United defender Steve Howey thinks Eddie Howe won't want to "risk the big names" against League One side Bradford City, but warns "every year there is an upset" in the Carabao Cup.

Speaking about the manager's selection dilemma on BBC Radio Newcastle, Howey said: "I'm assuming that he will name a pretty strong bench. He won't want to get them involved ideally, but he might have to if things aren't going to plan.

"Every year there is an upset so he certainly won't be putting out a team that's weak.

"Newcastle United are the holders, so they will want to go as far as they can in this competition once again and, fingers crossed, retain it.

"It is also a chance for certain players that haven't been involved much this season, like Jamaal Lascelles, Aaron Ramsdale and Park Seung-soo. He might even look to give Lewis Miley some minutes again.

"But it is certainly a game where Eddie Howe would like to think he doesn't really need to risk the big names."

Listen to the full conversation on BBC Sounds

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Newcastle may be struggling to score goals in the Premier League this season following the departure of Alexander Isak to Liverpool but their defence has been rock solid.

Eddie Howe's side have kept a league-high four clean sheets in five matches. The Magpies have only conceded three goals in the league so far, all of which came in the loss to Liverpool when the visitors scored twice after Newcastle had gone down to 10 men.

Newcastle also have the lowest expected goals tally against (2.6) of any Premier League team so far this season, have faced the fewest shots (37) and are yet to make an error leading to a goal.

Their almost flawless defence has been particularly useful on the road, earning three points in goalless draws at Aston Villa, Leeds and Bournemouth.

Should Newcastle's attack start to click in conjunction with their defensive solidity, then the Magpies should start to climb the Premier League table.

Image source, BBC Sport

Matthew Hobbs
BBC Sport journalist

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Newcastle United face Bradford City in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday having so far struggled to score goals this season.

The overriding factor has been the protracted departure of Alexander Isak, who scored the winning goal in the EFL Cup final six months ago.

Isak 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 total league goals, scoring 33.9% of them.

Newcastle replaced Isak with 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.

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

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).

So the question for Eddie Howe is should Woltemade feature in the cup to get him valuable minutes with the team, or should the Germany Under-21 international be wrapped in cotton wool for the Premier League game against Arsenal on Sunday?

What would you do?

Get Woltemade up to speed or keep him back?

Let us know - and tell us why

Ciaran Kelly
Newcastle United reporter

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Five league games. 54 shots. Three goals.

You do not have to look too far to see where Newcastle United need to improve.

As solid as Newcastle have been at the back – only champions Liverpool have scored against them in the top-flight this season - the Magpies have yet to click in the final third.

Eddie Howe was the first to recognise his side were missing an "X factor" - but there is context.

First, the Alexander Isak saga rumbled on until deadline day, leaving Newcastle light on options in the opening three league games of the season, after the Swede went on strike in a bid to force through his British record move to Liverpool.

Secondly, the club recruited a proven Premier League goalscorer in Yoane Wissa in the final throes of the window, but the former Brentford forward will be sidelined until after the international break next month with a knee injury.

And finally, record arrival Nick Woltemade will require time to adapt to the physicality of the English top flight having never played outside his native Germany before.

Newcastle are clearly going to need others to chip in to help ease the burden - just as they did in the previous campaign.

Harvey Barnes (nine), Anthony Gordon (nine), Jacob Murphy (nine), Sandro Tonali (six), Fabian Schar (six), Bruno Guimaraes (five) and Joelinton (four) all popped up with valuable goals in all competitions last season.

And the Carabao Cup holders will need a spread of goals if they are to go deep into the competition again as they begin the defence of their trophy against Bradford City on Wednesday.

"I'm excited by the team we can be," Howe said.

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Charlotte Robson
Fan writer

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Change! The seasons are doing it and so too must Newcastle United.

I assume that observing summer give way to autumn was the inspiration for the seven changes Eddie Howe made to his side as we moseyed down to the south coast to play Bournemouth. That, surely, is how football managers operate.

And so we begin the era of having and utilising squad depth. I feel spoilt!

Some of the switches made were necessary: Fabian Schar is under a concussion protocol after a head bash against Barcelona, and Anthony Gordon still had one game left of his three game ban. It was, however, not a cobbled together team with a lack of cohesion. It looked like it worked! Apart from one crucial bit.

Defensively we saw Malick Thiaw, one of our summer signings, work really well with Sven Botman and Dan Burn. This very tall trio managed to nullify any threat Bournemouth's Antonine Semenyo might have posed. Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento provided assistance defensively on the flanks and offered us opportunity going forward.

Of course, we didn't actually take any of those opportunities as goals continue to evade us (the crucial bit). Maybe goals are not our thing! Or maybe it all just needs a little more time.

It's a shame it has taken five league games and one Champions League fixture for us to feel like we're starting the season, but that's the hand we've been dealt.

I occupy the middle of the Venn diagram of relentless optimism and serious impatience. I think things are going to be absolutely fine at Newcastle.

We have so much talent, we have Howe, and it's all starting to come together. I just wish it would do that a little faster.

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