Why Alexander Isak misses Arsenal vs Newcastle United on Sunday

Newcastle United FC v Ipswich Town FC - Premier League
Newcastle are without Alexander Isak at Arsenal on Sunday (Picture: Getty Images)

Alexander Isak is not in the Newcastle United squad for the trip to Arsenal on Sunday, missing out due to a minor groin injury.

Magpies boss Eddie Howe has made just one change after beating Chelsea last time out, bringing in Callum Wilson for the injured Swede for the crunch clash with the Gunners.

It is a blow for Newcastle in their challenge for a Champions League finish, with Isak in sensational form this season.

The 25-year-old has scored 23 Premier League goals this season in just 33 outings, second only to Mohamed Salah on the top-scorers list.

In confirmation of their team news on Sunday afternoon, Newcastle posted: ‘Wilson will make just his second league start of the campaign in place of leading goalscorer Alexander Isak, who misses out with a minor groin injury, as the Magpies bid to make sure of Champions League qualification.’

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Wilson has made 16 Premier League appearances this season but just one of them has come in the starting XI as he plays second fiddle to Isak.

The England international is yet to score a league goal this campaign, but will hope to change that at the Emirates.

Aston Villa FC v Newcastle United FC - Premier League
Callum Wilson is given a rare start on Sunday (Picture: Getty Images)

Joelinton also remains out for Newcastle due to a knee problem, which Howe suggested was the likeliest outcome ahead of the game.

‘He’s working away behind the scenes,’ said the Newcastle boss. ‘Typical Joe – he’s absolutely foot to the floor trying to get fit because he wants to be involved.

‘The biggest possibility is that we don’t see him again this season and we’ll get him ready for next year.’

As for Arsenal, Mikel Arteta also makes one change as Declan Rice returns from a hip problem, replacing the suspended Mikel Merino.

Kai Havertz is back on the bench for Arteta’s side, involved in a matchday squad for the first time since February after recovering from a hamstring injury.

The Gunners go into the game second in the Premier League table, with Newcastle one place and two points behind them.

Arsenal Training Session
Kai Havertz is involved again for Arsenal after a lengthy injury (Picture: Getty Images)

Arsenal vs Newcastle team news

Arsenal: David Raya, Ben White, William Saliba, Jakub Kiwior, Miles Lewis-Skelly, Thomas Partey, Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard.

Substitutes: Neto, Riccardo Calafiori, Kieran Tierney, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Jorginho, Jack Henry-Francis, Ethan Nwaneri, Raheem Sterling, Kai Havertz.

Real Madrid C.F. v Arsenal FC - UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Quarter Final Second Leg
Declan Rice is back from injury (Picture: Getty Images)

Newcastle United: Nick Pope, Tino Livramento, Fabian Schär, Sven Botman, Dan Burn, Jacob Murphy, Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimarães, Harvey Barnes, Anthony Gordon, Callum Wilson.

Substitutes: Martin Dúbravka, John Ruddy, Emil Krafth, Jamaal Lascelles, Sean Longstaff, Lewis Miley, Joe Willock, Will Osula, Sean Neave.

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