Newcastle's Howe tells Gordon to maintain 'focus' amid Arsenal rumors

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has told Anthony Gordon to concentrate on the task at hand amid speculation linking the forward with a post-season move to Premier League leaders Arsenal.

Media reports on Friday suggested the 25-year-old, who scored four goals in the Champions League play-off first-leg victory over Qarabag last week, will be a target for the title-chasing Gunners.

Howe, still dealing with the consequence of Alexander Isak's move from Newcastle to Liverpool last summer, would like to avoid a repeat of that protracted drama but accepts there is only so such within the control of a manager.

"I'm not sure there's a lot I can do about that. I've not seen the story, so it's news to me," Howe told reporters ahead of a league match against Gordon's former club Everton on Saturday. 

"But we're mid-season, we're in the middle of some of the biggest games of his career and who knows what's going to happen internationally with him in the summer as well?

"He's got no time to look left or right, he's got to be fully focused on straight ahead and the next game and trying to be as good as he can be."

Earlier this month Gordon dismissed rumours he was leaving Newcastle, presently 11th in the Premier League, after signing a new "long-term" contract in October 2024.

He will hope to continue his good form as he looks to secure a place in the England squad for this year's World Cup finals.

Former Bournemouth boss Howe, asked if he feared Gordon would be distracted by talk of a move to Arsenal, replied: "Only if he reads it, I suppose. In this age, there's always rumour and speculation."

"I don't see probably 90 percent of it -- I'm sure the players probably see more than I do -- but I think it comes with the territory of being a top player and playing at this level, that there's going to be speculation."

The 48-year-old, speaking before a draw that pitted Newcastle against Barcelona in the last 16 of the Champions League, added: "I think you've just got to put it out of your brain and you've got to focus on the football because as we know with our schedule, there's so many games, there's no time for distractions. We have to be fully focused on each match."