Eddie Howe has just made very unpopular Newcastle United decision hours ahead of Arsenal clash
Newcastle United team news: Bruno Guimaraes is back in the starting line-up to face Arsenal this evening.
Newcastle United’s team to face Arsenal in the Premier League this evening has been confirmed.
Eddie Howe has made five changes from the side that lost 2-1 against Bournemouth last time out. Nick Pope comes in for former Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale for his first start since the 3-2 defeat against Everton two months ago.
Dan Burn also comes back into the side in place of left-back Lewis Hall, who was taken off at half-time against Bournemouth in a tactical change.
Bruno Guimaraes makes his return to the starting line-up for the first time in over two months as he replaces the injured Tino Livramento with Lewis Miley dropping back to right-back. Jacob Murphy replaces Anthony Elanga and Joe Willock comes in against his former club in place of Harvey Barnes, who drops to the bench.
An unpopular NUFC decision
While Pope in for Ramsdale is a big call, perhaps the most unpopular of Howe’s five changes sees Hall drop to the bench for the first time in a Premier League match since February with Burn coming in at left-back in his place.
The 21-year-old has arguably been one of Newcastle’s strongest performers this season but his performance against Bournemouth last time out saw him hooked at the break.
When asked if Hall’s substitution was injury-related, Howe responded bluntly: “No, that was tactical.”
Now, it would seem, Hall is paying the price for that performance by dropping out of the line-up. It’s a call that has faced some backlash from supporters on social media.
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NUFC line-up v Arsenal
NUFC XI: Pope; Miley, Thiaw, Botman, Burn; Tonali, Guimaraes, Ramsey; J.Murphy, Willock, Osula
Subs: Ramsdale, Trippier, Hall, Wissa, Barnes, Elanga, Woltemade, A.Murphy, Neave
Eddie Howe teases Bruno Guimaraes return
When asked if Guimaraes would return to the line-up ahead of the match, Howe told The Gazette: "He's had a full week of training and he's trained really well. I've been very pleased with him.
“It's been tough for him. I think you could see against Bournemouth that he came on with all the right intentions to deliver a really good physical performance, but you could see that he was struggling at times physically to adapt to the pace because he really had minimal training. But he was playing on heart and spirit and determination.
"But the week he's had this week will serve him really well. He's such an important player for us on so many levels that, of course, we're keen to get him on the pitch as quickly as possible, but I've just got to make sure it's not to his detriment.
"It's been great to have him back around the group, though. He's such a positive person that he can only help and inspire the players around him."
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