Anthony Gordon to miss Arsenal clash as injury is confirmed - Craig Hope

Anthony Gordon missed Saturday's defeat to Bournemouth, sparking a glut of conspiracy theories after Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe had spoken 24 hours earlier about not playing anyone who isn't committed to the club.

Howe's comments were a direct response to question marks over Anthony Gordon's future, and while the gaffer was at pains to make sure it was clear he wasn't specifically talking about Gordon when he talked about players who weren't committed, the timing of his absence the following day spoke volumes.

What made it more suspicious was that Howe said after the game on Saturday that Gordon picked up the knock on Wednesday, went for a scan on Thursday, and they knew he wouldn't play on Saturday, but he never thought to mention that during the presser.

It was a pretty intense press conference, to be fair, and it's possible he simply forgot, but it just left the door wide open for conspiracy theories.

Anthony Gordon's injury is legit

In his Newcastle Confidential column for the Daily Mail, Craig Hope has revealed today that Gordon will miss Saturday's trip to Arsenal due to the same hip injury.

Hope said that multiple sources have confirmed to him that the injury is genuine, and while it's not thought to be a long-term issue, he won't be fit enough to take on the title chasers.

Gordon hasn't trained at all this week. We reported yesterday that he hadn't trained, but there was still hope that he'd return to training today (Thursday) and that could give him a shot at making Saturday's game.

Hope's report claims Anthony Gordon is determined to get back to help the side as soon as possible, which is what we want to hear, given all the noise about his future.

Newcastle face a difficult challenge on Saturday

Newcastle will also be without Tino Livramento, who picked up another injury in the game against Bournemouth and could potentially miss the rest of the season. 

Joelinton will also miss the game against Arsenal as he serves the second game of his two-match suspension for accumulating 10 yellow cards.

Saturday is a huge game for both sides, with Arsenal now in second place in the league and Newcastle desperate to get back to winning ways after a horrendous run of form.