‘I’m not sure’: Keown feels Newcastle duo have left Eddie Howe with a decision to make

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Martin Keown feels Jacob Murphy and Miguel Almiron left Eddie Howe with a decision to make over his Newcastle United line-up after impressing during Saturday’s loss to Arsenal.

The Magpies’ search for a first win of the Premier League season continued at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners edged the Toon after goals from Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.

Howe chose to start Almiron and Murphy on the bench for his first match in the Newcastle dugout. Instead, trusting Emil Krafth to fill the Toon’s right-back slot and Jonjo Shelvey and Joe Willock to offer the central creativity behind Callum Wilson and Allan Saint-Maximin.

Howe only diverted from his original plans once Newcastle fell two goals behind to Arsenal with Murphy and Almiron introduced. The pair took over from Matt Ritchie and Joelinton, while Howe shifted the Toon from his favoured 4-4-2 formation into a 3-4-2-1 shape.

Krafth had allowed Arsenal to attack Newcastle’s right-hand side before Murphy took over a wing-back role. Joelinton also failed to replicate his stellar display from against Brentford.

But Almiron offered Newcastle energy alongside Wilson and Saint-Maximin, while Murphy tried to find openings in the Arsenal defence. Neither found the touch to score or create a goal, but impressed Keown enough in 23-minutes to warrant further consideration.

“I’m not sure he’s picking the right team,” Keown said on BT Sport (27/11, 14:49) following Newcastle’s defeat to Arsenal.

“I thought Almiron, when he came on, and Murphy, when he came on, played better than the starters. So, he might want to make some changes.”

Should Howe include Murphy and Almiron in Newcastle XI after Arsenal displays?

Newcastle have a quick turnaround from losing at Arsenal to hosting Norwich on Tuesday night. The Canaries will be a must-win affair for the Toon, who remain bottom of the table.

Howe can ill-afford to let Newcastle’s winless run continue against another relegation rival in Norwich. So, will run the rule over his line-up and surely consider Murphy and Almiron.

Murphy and Almiron impressed Keown in their brief cameos for the Arsenal icon to doubt Howe’s initial Newcastle line-up. If they can now show the Toon boss their hunger to start against Norwich in training, they may come in.