Eddie Howe admitted that Tino Livramento’s injury does ‘not look good’ after the defender was stretchered off during Newcastle’s 2-1 defeat to Arsenal.
Livramento landed awkwardly after an aerial challenge midway through the second half and pulled up moments later.
Newcastle physios were then brought onto the pitch to assess the England international, who then had to be stretchered off the pitch to be replaced by club captain Jamaal Lascelles.
Livramento left the pitch with his hands over his face, and Howe said that the initial signs were not positive for the full-back.
‘It doesn’t sound great. The fact he came off on a stretcher is not looking good,’ he told the BBC post-match.
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Asked in his post-match press conference what Livramento’s potential absence would mean to his side, the Newcastle boss added: ‘He’s been such a big player for us in so many different ways.
‘His versatility, his attitude, his quality and if we’re going to miss that for any length of time, that’s going to be a huge blow.
Metro at the Match: Newcastle 1-2 Arsenal
Metro at the Match returns to bring you all the analysis from the biggest games of the season.
Here are our team’s key takeaways from Arsenal’s dramatic win at St James’ Park:
Super subs deliver again
Subs, replacements, finishers – call them what you want – but one thing is clear: Arsenal’s squad depth will be a vital tool in their bid to win the title this year. Gabriel Martinelli last week and Mikel Merino this around, Arteta’s second-half changes continue to get his side goals when they need them most. Ben Fleming, sports reporter
Was it a penalty?
Viktor Gyokeres was felled by Nick Pope and a penalty was given, but the Newcastle goalkeeper was saved by VAR as he got a slight touch on the ball. The decision remained debatable. Clear and obvious error? Surely not. Phil Haigh, sports reporter
Saliba benching raises eyebrows
Mikel Arteta’s team selection is back under the microscope after the benching of William Saliba on Sunday, particularly given the struggles of his replacement Cristhian Mosquera, who was hauled off at the break. Arteta said Saliba’s fitness still has to be managed – so why was he given the full 90 minutes against Port Vale in midweek? Ben Fleming, sports reporter
Woltemade a new hero but Magpies still look blunt
Newcastle have struggled for goals so far this season and they weren’t exactly free-flowing in attack on Sunday. Nick Woltemade has made a decent start and the giant German is a threat in the air, but Magpies fans will be relishing the return to fitness of Yoane Wissa to spark some attacking verve. Phil Haigh, sports reporter
Exciting Eze continues to give Arteta a dilemma
Finally deployed in a central attacking position, Eberechi Eze was at least one bright spot for the Gunners. Martin Odegaard has made that position his own in recent years, but Arteta may soon be forced to consider if his captain is the best man for the job in the coveted No10 role. Ben Fleming, sports reporter
Thiaw looks a great addition
In a transfer window awash with sagas, Malick Thiaw arriving at Newcastle from AC Milan went under the radar. The defender was fantastic here, dealing with Gyokeres impressively. Physically imposing and technically good on the ball. Phil Haigh, sports reporter
‘Seeing him go off in that manner was really distressing.’
Livramento’s injury was soured further by Arsenal’s two late goals from Mikel Merino and Gabriel Magalhaes which saw the Gunners nick a dramatic late victory to move within two points of league leaders Liverpool.
And Howe was left to lament his side’s level of performance, which he admitted was not at their usual best.
‘Two really late goals here at home hurts,’ he told the BBC.
‘We have to reflect and acknowledge that we weren’t at our best. There was not lack of effort but from a footballing side, it wasn’t quite there.
‘That was probably the key thing, the number of corners. I think Odegaard made a difference to their overall performance. The weight of pressure eventually told. No lack of effort but the little details have cost us.’
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