Newcastle United goalkeeper Nick Pope has been ruled out for the next three weeks of action, meaning former Gunner Aaron Ramsdale could face multiple of Arsenal’s London rivals.
Sky Sports News report that Nick Pope is set to miss the next three weeks of action with a groin injury, with a likely return date set for Newcastle United’s match away to Manchester United on Boxing Day.
Sky add that Pope was informed of the news from a specialist after picking up an injury in training on Friday, and former Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale is set to start in Pope’s place for the next few weeks.
Newcastle have some significant fixtures during that period, starting with the visit of Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday night. Ramsdale’s previous association with Spurs’ north London rivals will likely add some extra spice to proceedings.
Newcastle also face Chelsea on December 20th, as well as playing a League Cup quarter-final against Fulham on December 17th. Two more games that could have an indirect impact on Arsenal’s trophy hopes.
On top of that, Ramsdale will face his former Arsenal teammate Granit Xhaka in the Tyne-Wear derby on December 14th, Newcastle’s first game against Sunderland this season.
But before most of those games, Newcastle host Burnley on December 6th and play a key Champions League match away to Bayer Leverkusen on December 10th.
If Ramsdale had the choice, he might have selected a slightly easier batch of games for his first serious run in the Newcastle team. But if he can really impress during this period, he may find himself competing for starts even when Pope returns.