Newcastle Boss Howe insists that the Champions League qualification has not yet been done ‘

Eddie Howe says Newcastle will not take the Champions League qualification, until she mathematically confirms it.

The Magpies start in the penultimate weekend of the Premier League fixture in third place after a strong series of recent form.

On Sunday, they head to runner-up Arsenal, knowing that the victory -brox will be a mathematical miracle-to be enough for them to secure a place among the European elite next season.

But Howe says no one on Tyneside is going in front of him.

He said, “This is not done yet. The picture can change the game into the game and I think we have to be really focused on our next game and try to win it.

“Our preparation was good and the focus is there from the players. Nothing is achieved until it is achieved. We have to be single and not interfere with that.”

Eddie Howe about chasing UCl qualifications:

“This is not done yet. The picture can change the game in the game and I think we have to really focus on our next game and try to win it. We were, our preparation was good and the focus is here from players. Nothing is … pic.twitter.com/wgi6ljaqlv

– Newcastle United (@nufc) May 16, 2025

Botman doubts about arsenal conflict

Newcastle, however, will not have a full team on the Emirates.

Joelinton is likely to play again this season, Kieran Trippier is a major doubt, while the Netherlands Central Half Sven Botman has a knee problem and there will be a late call.

“It was a knock, he hit his knee,” Howe said of Botman. “We are not sure of the availability of Sven for the weekend, but we will give him the opportunity to be in shape.

“We don’t think it’s a serious injury. It’s unhappy. He’ll get kicks and bruises in his position and that’s a similar thing, he was really unhappy on the last two times.

“Kieran, I don’t think it will be suitable for this weekend, but again it’s not a big injury, a very little calf problem.

“Joe (Willock), we will leave the door open to him, I think he has a little chance.”

Newcastle department is easy when injuries occur

Newcastle decided to work with small teams in recent seasons and was fortunate to have avoided injuries to the main players in this term.

Howe admits, however, that it leaves his team when the players are not available.

He added, “I think January (transfer window) played a role in that, we lost two players from the team. I think we did really good this season to manage small teams. Our record of injuries this season was very good, partly because of less games. We managed to hold most of the players.

“You will always get one or two. But I think we are in a position with our teams, you will get injuries and that can look very quickly. Fingers crossed, we can keep our strength by the end of the season.”