Arsenal’s injury concerns ahead of the visit of Newcastle

Arsenal are still in the hunt for a top four finish this season, desperate to clinch a Champions League place for the next campaign. However, their chase took a blow in the past week as they lost the North London Derby to rivals Tottenham, who also backed that up with a 1-0 win over Burnley to leapfrog the Gunners. The challenge is still very much in Mikel Arteta’s hands though, with a game in hand over Spurs giving them the opportunity to head into the final game of the season in the driving seat. They will have to overcome Newcastle though, who have been a much-changed side since the turn of the new year. The visitors are set to meet a hostile St. James’ Park crowd, who will be hoping their side can sign the home campaign off with a win. The Gunners could be forced into some changes too, with a number of injuries impacting the squad heading into the game. Read more: Ben White and Gabriel not spotted in training as Arsenal can draft recalled loanee vs Newcastle With all that said, here’s a look at the latest injury concerns for Arteta. Ben White White has been instrumental for Arteta’s side since he signed from Brighton for £50million last summer. The England international offers a calming presence alongside the more physically dominant Magalhaes, with the two centre-backs forming a solid partnership at the back. However, White has been sidelined in recent weeks, missing the 2-1 wins against West Ham United and Leeds United due to a hamstring strain. He was also left out of the north London derby when Gabriel was pulled from proceedings. What Arteta has said: “We will know probably more tomorrow, so we wanted to extend this period as much as possible to understand how they are recovering, how they are feeling, assess them and tomorrow probably we will know more about how they are.” Expected return date: Newcastle United (A) – May 16 Gabriel Magalhaes Gabriel Magalhaes was substituted in the second half of the against Tottenham after appearing to damage his hamstring. He fell to the floor and clutched his upper leg. Rob Holding was sent off earlier in the match, meaning that the Gunners finished the game with no central defenders on the pitch. Ben White was not introduced after missing the last two matches with injury. What Arteta has said: “We will know probably more tomorrow, so we wanted to extend this period as much as possible to understand how they are recovering, how they are feeling, assess them and tomorrow probably we will know more about how they are.” Expected return date: Newcastle United (A) – May 16 Read more here. Kieran Tierney Scottish fullback Kieran Tierney will not play again this season after sustaining a long-term knee injury which he has since undergone surgery for. Expected return date: Pre-Season Thomas Partey Thomas Partey has been out of action with a thigh injury since last month’s 3-0 defeat to Crystal Palace. The Ghanaian international was not fit enough to play against Tottenham but football. london understands that the 28-year-old has been taking part in individual training sessions each day with the target of being back in the first team squad within the “next few weeks”. A source told football.london that the current best-case scenario for Partey would be for the tough-tackling midfielder to return for the final game of the season against Everton later this month. Still, the Gunners’ medical staff are keen not to rush him back and complicate his recovery. Expected return date: Everton (H) – May 22