Late boost for Newcastle United ahead of Arsenal trip | OneFootball

Eddie Howe will be available in the dugout for Newcastle United’s trip to Arsenal on Saturday, after a late negative Covid-19 test.

BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND: Eddie Howe, then Manager of AFC Bournemouth, looks on during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Leicester City at the Vitality Stadium on December 13, 2016. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

Newcastle United have confirmed that their new manager Eddie Howe a negative Covid-19 test on Friday morning, making him available for the trip to face Arsenal on Saturday.

Almost immediately after appointing Howe as their new boss, he returned a positive Covid test and was forced to miss the first game of his tenure against Brentford.

As a result, Saturday’s match at the Emirates Stadium will be Howe’s first proper game in charge with Newcastle.

For what it’s worth, Newcastle drew 3-3 with Brentford in Howe’s absence last week.

The Magpies remain bottom of the Premier League, so they’ll be desperate to turn things around with an early win under Howe.

Newcastle could move up the table above Norwich City if they pick up three points against Arsenal, but they’d need a six-goal win to overtake Burnley in 18th.

BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal shakes hands with Eddie Howe, Manager of AFC Bournemouth ahead of the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Arsenal FC at Vitality Stadium on December 26, 2019. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

It’s never much fun to play against a team in the early stages of their new manager bounce.

Arsenal will hope their good record against Howe and against Newcastle United in general will help ward that bounce off for a game.