Match Coverage

Howe explains Newcastle team selection v Arsenal

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Eddie Howe has made three changes to his Newcastle side to face Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

Howe will be in the Magpies dugout for the first time after recovering from Covid.

In come Martin Dubravka, Emil Krafth and Ryan Fraser in place of Karl Darlow, Jacob Murphy and Ciaran Clark.

Speaking to BT Sport before the game, Howe was asked why he has made the change between the sticks and said: “I’ve made the change… it was a difficult week last week in the sense we conceded three goals.

“I feel a change could be a good thing for us in that respect.”

When asked about Krafth and Fraser, Howe said: “We approach every game differently so the players coming in I think give us a tactical edge I think we’re looking for in every game.

“We’ve got quality players to pick from and it’s a good squad to pick from. We have a point to prove to everybody watching that we’re in this fight for the long haul and we believe we can get out of the position we’re in.”

Newcastle United Training Session
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images

It still looks to be a five-man backline like the one Howe used against Brentford.

But the identity of the personnel means Howe can flip to a back four, with Krafth at right-back and Fraser on the wing if he wants to.

Howe needs his changes to make his side more defensively secure in a tricky away game.