Newcastle United

Newcastle's decline in the second part of the season means they are set to end this campaign in the bottom half of the table.

So with no European football secured, questions are being asked of manager Eddie Howe and whether he should be looking over his shoulder this summer.

"It does feel like Howe may be on his way out in the summer," ESPN's Mark Ogden told BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club. "But I think Newcastle will live to regret that.

"He's the sane and calm voice in that club that they need, but the mood has changed among the fans and they have become frustrated.

"I don't think Howe is getting the benefit of the doubt for what happened last summer. The Alexander Isak situation was beyond his control and they lost their sporting director. They have had all types of upheaval.

"Howe is a manager who likes to be in control and although he's not totally in control of recruitment, they brought players in late and that weren't suited to the club. They've also had injuries.

"I think he's a really good manager but I do fear for Eddie Howe."

The Magpies are still reeling from a poor summer transfer window where they are failing to see much of a return from a £100m-plus net recruitment drive that Howe was heavily involved in.

"If there is to be a criticism of Newcastle then it is their recruitment in the summer because it has been particularly poor," added Chris Sutton. "They spent the best part of £250m and the likes of Anthony Elanga and Jacob Ramsey have all been on the periphery.

"The centre-forwards, who were brought in to replace Isak, just haven't fired. They've got eight goals between them and they spent a fortune on them.

"Howe's tried to use Nick Woltemade in a midfield role which doesn't suit him either. He doesn't fit into Howe's team because he doesn't make those runs in from behind and he's not mobile."

Watch clips above and blow or get the full episode on BBC iPlayer and on BBC Sounds

Ciaran Kelly
Newcastle United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Matfen Hall is a little different to St James' Park.

But it is here - away from prying eyes - where Newcastle United's owners and executives are convening this week to plot the club's future.

The build-up to this latest summit has garnered plenty of attention, but senior figures have repeatedly stressed the annual get-together is not out of the norm.

It has always been looked upon as an opportunity for those at the top to discuss infrastructure projects and recruitment plans.

This time, it has also been regarded as a timely occasion to talk about Newcastle's slide to 14th place in the Premier League and how the club will go about bouncing back.

Rather than reacting emotionally, the view internally remains that Newcastle need to respond rationally with the help of cold, thorough analysis.

So what could be on the agenda?

Eddie Howe is among the leading figures who will give his perspective, with his future coming under increased scrutiny following a bruising run of nine defeats in 12 league games.

He has admitted this year's summit will be "slightly harder", but stressed he is looking forward to the rare opportunity to address chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan and minority owner Jamie Reuben in person.

"I'm sure there will be conversations on the team and how we have performed," he said. "I sort of welcome that, to a degree."

This campaign has been his most testing yet, which is saying something. Only relegated Burnley and Wolves have lost more Premier League games than Newcastle.

There is some mitigation, though.

Newcastle have played 54 matches, which is uncharted territory. Their already-drained side has been knocked back by injuries to influential players at key moments.

The club is still also feeling the effects of a turbulent transfer window last summer, having operated without a chief executive and sporting director during a pivotal trading period.

They missed out on a host of top transfer targets, including Joao Pedro, Hugo Ekitike, Benjamin Sesko and James Trafford, and have seen little return from a £100m-plus net recruitment drive that Howe was heavily involved in.

Finally, having decided to hold firm for so long, Newcastle ultimately buckled and sold Alexander Isak on deadline day.

Read the full article here

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on the possibility of Newcastle joining the relegation scrap in the Premier League; as they sit eight points above the drop zone with four games remaining.

Here are some of your comments:

Richard: I fully expect Newcastle to end up in the relegation fight as we've been shocking recently.

Craig: We won't get dragged into anything. Our poor performances across the entire season have left us already worrying about relegation. It's intensely obvious that Eddie Howe's time is over, and delaying doing anything about it until the summer is going to make this one another badly planned summer that'll hurt us again next year.

Albi: We are not safe. Failure to pick up a single point from the remaining games and then three wins from Tottenham's last four remaining games will sink us. It's unlikely but possible. The West Ham game at home is anything but a banker.

Tom: Yes - there's total lack of direction from coaches and effort from so-called players.

David: Most certainly we are in the relegation dog fight. They are in free fall, have a total lack of confidence and some players in the squad are believing all the hype about big money moves and have totally switched off. We have seen this before and Eddie needs to only select those players who are going to run through brick walls for him in the remaining games.

Tom: Yes, Newcastle United can get relegated this season. We need four points to be absolutely safe. If we build on the performance against Arsenal we should be OK. But we are relying on Tottenham to be as abysmal as they have been all season. The Arsenal match proved yet again how important Bruno Guimaraes is to the team. We look a different team with him playing.

Dave: I'm probably a bit pessimistic but yes I think we could be caught. I think normally 42 points was safe but this year, I can see both West Ham and Spurs reaching that target. Essentially, I think we need at least two more points to guarantee safety. Our form has been awful so I'm keeping my fingers crossed we can scrape out a couple of draws.

Adie: We just don't look like winning our remaining games this season, so relegation is a worry. Though I do think we're fortunate to already be on 42pts, which should be enough to stay up.

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Ciaran Kelly
Newcastle United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Newcastle certainly cannot afford to ease off given the high stakes for those sides they are playing during the run-in.

First up is the visit of sixth-placed Brighton on Saturday before Newcastle travel to the City Ground to take on Nottingham Forest, who are in 16th.

Newcastle then host 17th-placed West Ham and finish the campaign with a trip to Craven Cottage to play Fulham, who are still in the race for Europe.

Newcastle have already accumulated 42 points and would only need a maximum of five more to mathematically stay up if Tottenham Hotspur win all their remaining games and the other teams below Eddie Howe's side put a run together.

Given Spurs only recorded their first league win of 2026 against relegated Wolves last week, that feels an almighty ask for Roberto de Zerbi's men, who face Aston Villa, Leeds United, Chelsea and Everton in their final four matches.

It is also worth pointing out that the table is so tight that Newcastle are as close to Brighton in sixth as they are to Spurs in 18th.

But this team still need a victory to lift the mood.

"We're looking at the fact we haven't won games," Howe said after the defeat at Arsenal. "It's too many games without positive results.

"We're looking at next week, trying to win a game, and trying to lift the feeling we currently have."

Newcastle will explore selling DR Congo forward Yoane Wissa in the summer, less than a year after signing the 29-year-old for a fee rising to £55m. (Athletic - subscription required), external

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

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Image source, Getty Images

Newcastle's performance against Arsenal may have been more positive on Saturday, but it still resulted in their ninth defeat in 12 games.

The Magpies started 2026 in a good position to challenge for a European spot, but a decline in form means they have now dropped down to 14th.

Mathematically, Eddie Howe's side could still be relegated from the Premier League as they have just an eight point advantage over Tottenham, who are in 18th, with four games remaining.

"I don't see them being in any imminent threat, but they are on free-fall and their season has imploded," said the Telegraph's northern football writer Luke Edwards on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.

If Newcastle fail to maintain their Champions League status, and lose out on the associated financial benefits, it is understood they will need to sell at least one - potentially two - prized assets in order to strengthen for the 2026-27 campaign.

Some of Newcastle's best players - Sandro Tonali, Anthony Gordon, Bruno Guimaraes and Tino Livramento - are already attracting Premier League interest.

"There are some players that have been accused of already having one eye elsewhere," added Edwards. "It's a very tense and nervous football club at the moment. Very angry too if you go on social media."

Do you worry Newcastle could get dragged into the relegation scrap based on current form? And what's going wrong for Eddie Howe's side? Can he fix it?

Get in touch with your views here

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Arsenal and Newcastle United.

Here are some of your comments:

Arsenal fans

Jeffrey: Arsenal need to understand where the goals are coming from. The title run-in dictates that several goals in the remaining four matches is required. Moving the ball at pace between the players had the best results. Now let's add a few shots.

Olivier: The Gunners continue to play very static and predictable football. And as they play with no ambition whatsoever, they get nervous and confused about their tactics. When will Arteta realise you win the title by positive, ambitious football?

Sam: Much-improved performance in a vital win. Could have scored more and definitely wasted a lot of chances, but we got the three points over the line, which is all that is needed at this stage. Eze showed his magic moments again - hopefully his injury isn't too bad. Four more finals and a big trip to Madrid in the week to come.

Edward: Three more points is all that matters at this stage of the league. Let's do it again next week against Fulham. After losing two matches back-to-back in the Premier League, this victory will do a lot of good for our momentum.

Newcastle fans

Paul: Unlucky not to get an equaliser and take a point. Osula, Guimaraes, Tonali, Burn and Wissa all had chances to score. We were caught out by a well-executed set-piece that we should have seen coming, but let's take the positives because this was a much improved performance on recent weeks.

Richard: This game didn't tell us a lot really. I must admit, I thought we might get thumped but we could have snatched a point at the end. There was more of the old team there but still not enough. That said, I'll give Wissa, Elanga and Woltemade next season to show what they can do. Same goes for Eddie. I think the whole club needs a reset.

Derek: A decent, fighting performance. Perhaps the negatives will be quiet for a while and let Eddie get on with the very good job - in difficult circumstances - that he is doing.

Samuel: A confusing season all round for Newcastle. It's hard to pinpoint the exact problem as the team has shown that they're more than capable of getting good results. I'm a big Eddie Howe fan and I haven't forgotten what he's done for the club. It will be interesting to see what the club does off the back of this latest defeat. It certainly doesn't seem worth replacing managers at this late juncture.

Newcastle have emerged as contenders to sign Senegal striker Nicolas Jackson, who will return to Chelsea in the summer after Bayern Munich confirmed they will not turn the 24-year-old's loan into a permanent move. (Talksport), external

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

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Pundits Martin Keown and Steph Houghton join host Mark Chapman to bring you the action and talking points from Friday and Saturday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• West Ham 2-1 Everton

• Wolves 0-1 Tottenham

• Arsenal 1-0 Newcastle

Ciaran Kelly
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Newcastle have had far worse defeats at Emirates Stadium over the years. The frustration for the visitors was they had been given advance warning before Eberechi Eze's opener, which ultimately decided this game.

Head coach Eddie Howe had Arsenal's aerial threat in mind with his team selection as he handed the 6ft 7in Dan Burn a rare start at left-back and recalled towering goalkeeper Nick Pope.

But Arsenal surprised the visitors by going short with each of their opening three corner routines.

The second should have sent alarm bells ringing after the unmarked Eze fired wide from outside the box, but Newcastle failed to take note and the midfielder opened the scoring from a similar position just a few minutes later.

Newcastle were left kicking themselves.

Arsenal have scored just two goals from short corners in the Premier League this season - and both have come against Howe's side.

The visitors could have gone under, but they didn't.

Blunt Newcastle have been so drained of confidence that they have looked reluctant to even shoot at times in recent weeks following damaging defeats by Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, Sunderland and Barcelona.

That was not the case on Saturday.

Newcastle racked up plenty of efforts from distance but the visitors lacked an edge in the final third as the Emirates grew a little anxious, even after Howe turned to his bench and threw on Harvey Barnes, Yoane Wissa, Nick Woltemade and, finally, Anthony Elanga.

Howe's anguish on the touchline after a stretching Wissa volleyed over said it all as his side fell to a ninth defeat in 12 league games.

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "We feel today was a big step forward in terms of our performance. It was much better from a defensive performance.

"To lose in the way we did was disappointing. We had a few chances and that was pleasing. We were much better with the ball and we are going to be with Bruno's return. We are frustrated to lose the game and the disappointing run continues which is something we want to stop.

"Performances always give you hope if they are heading in the right direction. Our confidence and belief has been missing but I think today will have turned the corner. Easy to say but now we need to deliver."

Is every game a final until the end of the season? "We're working as hard as we can to get results that justify the club we are at."

Did you know?

• Newcastle kept a clean sheet in four of their first five Premier League games this season, which is as many as they have kept (four) in the 29 league matches they have played since then.

• Newcastle's 16 losses in the Premier League this season is their most in a single campaign since 2020-21 (17). Nine of those defeats have come in 2026, which is the joint-most by a team in the Premier League this year (also nine for Tottenham and Burnley).

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

Have your say on Arsenal's performance

What did you make of Newcastle's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Image source, Getty Images

Mikel Arteta makes just one change to the side that lost to Manchester City last week. Ben White comes in for Cristhian Mosquera. There's good news for the Gunners too as Bukayo Saka returns to the matchday squad for the first time since the Carabao Cup Final defeat in March following an Achilles injury.

Arsenal starting XI: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie, Rice, Zubimendi, Odegaard, Eze, Madueke, Havertz

Subs: Arrizabalaga, Mosquera, Saka, Jesus, Martinelli, Gyokeres, Trossard, Lewis-Skelly, Dowman

Bruno Guimaraes starts as Newcastle United make five changes for the trip to the Emirates.

The Newcastle captain lines up from the off for the first time since February after returning to action as a substitute in the 2-1 defeat against Bournemouth last week following a spell out.

Nick Pope, Dan Burn, Joe Willock and Jacob Murphy have also been recalled as head coach Eddie Howe looks to end a four-game losing streak in all competitions.

Newcastle starting XI: Pope, Miley, Thiaw, Botman, Burn, Guimaraes, Tonali, Ramsey, Murphy, Osula, Willock

Subs: Ramsdale, Trippier, Hall, Wissa, Barnes, Elanga, Woltemade, A.Murphy, Neave

Image source, Getty Images

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

• Fulham v Aston Villa (12:30)

• Liverpool v Crystal Palace

• West Ham v Everton - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Wolves v Tottenham - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Arsenal v Newcastle (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times 15:00 BST unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also watch, listen a follow live text of the FA Cup semi-final between Man City and Southampton here (kick-off 17:15)

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play West Ham v Everton" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Arsenal v Newcastle", for instance.

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

I did not think Arsenal's defeat at Manchester City last week spelled the end of their title hopes and watching City struggle to put Burnley away on Wednesday must have been a boost for their players.

I know the result still knocked the Gunners off the top of the table but that was not the kind of performance that suggested Pep Guardiola's side are just going to march to the title from here.

However you want to view Arsenal's recent form, they know they are still in the race - especially because goal difference could decide the title.

I've been in this situation myself in a title race and, while I am sure both managers will say that it is just about making sure they win their own games, you cannot ignore the fact that the season starts now and goal difference could be important.

That's why, if I was an Arsenal player sat at home watching City against Burnley, I would have been thinking that 1-0 is OK for us.

They are level now, on points and goal difference, and the Gunners still have Burnley to play, but at home.

So, it is there for them, but they have to get past this game first.

Newcastle have given Arsenal a good game when they've met in recent seasons and there has been a bit of needle between the two sides.

Right now, though, Eddie Howe's side have a few injury problems on top of their dismal form.

They have dropped off their usual level and they look a bit flimsy to me. It feels like a good time to play them and I don't think this will be as close.

Sutton's prediction: 2-0

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Arsenal have the chance to move three points clear of title rivals Manchester City if they can beat an out-of-form Newcastle at the Emirates on Saturday (17:30 BST). BBC Sport analyses the key talking points ahead of the match.

Gunners seek return to winning form

Arsenal's 209-day run at the top of the table came to an end on Wednesday night as Manchester City finally leapfrogged them on goals scored.

With the sides locked on 70 points and with an identical goal difference of +37, this looks set to be one of the tightest title races in history.

With City not in league action this weekend due to their FA Cup commitments, the Gunners have two home games before Pep Guardiola's side play again on Bank Holiday Monday, so could open up a six-point lead.

But to do that they must address their shocking run of form. After losing just three of their first 49 matches of the season in all competitions (W37, D9) they have lost four of the last six and have suffered back-to-back Premier League defeats for the first time since December 2023.

Mikel Arteta will be glad to see the arrival of May next week. Since he took charge of the Gunners they have taken just 40 points from 27 games played in April and a whopping 18% of all top-flight defeats the club have suffered under him have also been in the fourth month of the year.

Despite their recent wobbles Opta's supercomputer still has the Gunners as favourites to win the title at 65% and they will be buoyed by their excellent league record against Newcastle.

Howe under pressure as poor run goes on

Newcastle are in worse form than Arsenal having lost eight of their last 11 league games. In fact, only Tottenham and Burnley have lost more top-flight matches than Newcastle in 2026.

This relegation form has led to serious questions being asked of head coach Eddie Howe. He maintains he is still the right man for the job and that he will "fight to the end", but it will be interesting to see how much credit he has left in the bank as a result of leading them to their first domestic trophy for 70 years last season.

Legendary striker Alan Shearer cast doubt on whether Howe will still be at the helm next season and lambasted the players for their performance against Bournemouth. "They were terrible," he said on his podcast. "They chucked him under the bus, the players. It is a tough situation, a tough summer for Newcastle coming up. They have got some big decisions to make. As I am sat here, I don't see Eddie in charge of Newcastle next season, unfortunately."

Mitigation does comes in the form of key players being unavailable due to injury and the team Howe put out against the Cherries was their youngest starting XI in a Premier League game since May 2005, having an average age of just 24 years and 191 days.

The Geordies have no respite as they travel to the Emirates, a ground where they have managed just one league win in 17 attempts and none in the last 13. Only Stoke City, who have lost on all 10 of their visits, average fewer points per game than Newcastle do at the Emirates since it opened in 2006. They have taken a total of just five points from 51 available and have scored just one goal on their last nine trips.

Ciaran Kelly
Newcastle United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

It was always going to be a significant window at Newcastle United, but this summer could be even bigger than those inside the club imagined just a few months ago.

Head coach Eddie Howe recognised he has to ensure he is "delivering his best" to create a winning environment again as his future comes under increased scrutiny.

But he suggested the stakes were high for his squad following a run of eight defeats in 11 league games.

"If the team's not performing then, potentially, there might be bigger changes in the summer than was maybe previously first thought," he said.

"I think you have to react to what you see and that goes on a daily basis, a weekly basis, behind the scenes. It's about attitude, commitment to the team."

It may appear from the outside that Newcastle's season is as good as over, but it therefore still feels like there is a lot riding on these final five games, starting with Saturday's trip to Arsenal.

As poor as Newcastle's league record is at the Emirates, these are the sorts of matches in which Howe's team have traditionally raised their game.

They desperately need to once more in order to restore some pride.

"People will be looking closely at us at the moment and rightly so," he added.

"We need to give the right answers and we need to give the right feeling in terms of how we're conducting ourselves in these moments, which is where I think you're truly judged.

"We need to show really good strength of character. We're looking for a massive performance."

Marissa Thomas
BBC Sport journalist

Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Arsenal at Emirates Stadium (kick-off 17:30 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Howe gave an update on defender Tino Livramento, who was injured against Bournemouth last Saturday. "He went for a scan initially, we don't think it's a bad injury. Wait and see whether he'll play again this season but he will have another scan at the weekend to determine the full extent of his time out."

• He added Livramento is "very level-headed and stable mentally" but has had a "frustrating season, which is the life of a footballer".

• On Anthony Gordon: "He won't make the game, hasn't trained this week. Not a serious injury but not in time for this game, hopefully the next one."

• Howe said that Bruno Guimaraes "has had a full week of training and he has trained really well. He's such an important player for us on so many levels that of course we are keen to get him on the pitch as soon as possible".

• On recruitment: "If the team is not performing, there may be bigger changes [in the summer] than first thought. The players understand the job they are in. There is a responsibility to be at your best."

• On Newcastle's poor form: "We're all feeling that pain at the moment, we're determined to put that right and win as many games as possible. Players are lacking a bit of confidence but we can find that through hard work, good training and trying to enjoy their football and find their best form again. We need to perform most of all for our supporters."

• Asked why Nick Woltemade isn't starting, Howe said: "It's difficult because our centre-forwards have been productive for us. Anthony Gordon played up front against Chelsea and Sunderland. Will Osula has come in and he has scored as the number nine so it's difficult. You have to reward players for what they deliver and at the moment, I have gone with a different option to Nick so there's no problem on his fitness. Obviously when he plays, he has to try and do the same and deliver the goals that we need."

• He added on Woltemade and Yoane Wissa: "Like with every player that is not playing, they have to show their worth in training and that's their shop window for me to pick them. How they train, how they commit to the training and how much they are prepared to put individual disappointment to the side for the team to then come back fighting but I believe in both players still, I've got no issues with either of them. They have unique qualities to offer the team but it's got to be on merit and deserved. They are both outstanding players and will be better for next season."

• On five wins out of five to secure European football: "Five wins out of five are needed for ourselves, for the club, for everybody. We aren't looking at it for Europe, we're looking at it like we need to win a game. First step is win a game and then try and win another one."

• Howe said Newcastle "have lost a bit of confidence with the recent results that we have had" and hopes they will get back to their best levels "individually and collectively".

• On criticism Anthony Elanga has faced: "He's handled everything that he has faced this season with real integrity. He will continue to improve and get better and he has so much potential. I really believe in him and hopefully he can finish the season strongly."

• Howe said Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) meeting next week is "something that happens regularly" and he "always likes the chance to talk directly to the owners and express things".

You can hear Howe speaking to BBC Radio Newcastle on BBC Sounds here or by hitting play on the clip above

Listen to full match commentary of Arsenal v Newcastle on BBC Radio 5 Live at 17:30 BST on Saturday

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

Got a question about Newcastle? Get in touch here and we'll seek answers from our experts