Arsenal take on Newcastle United at St. James’ Park in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.
The Gunners desperately need three points after being held by Manchester City last weekend, and subsequently falling five points behind leaders Liverpool.
Mikel Arteta’s team cruised past Port Vale on Wednesday night in the Carabao Cup, in a match in which they managed to rest several of their key players who would expect to start in the north-east.
The North Londoners should therefore be fresh for their clash against the Magpies, although Eddie Howe’s team also enjoyed a League Cup triumph with a much-rotated side in midweek.
Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Newcastle
Arsenal will be without Noni Madueke for the trip to Newcastle, although Martin Odegaard may make his return to action following a shoulder injury.
Aside from Madueke and long-term absentees Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus, Arteta should have a fully fit squad to select from.
The Spaniard will likely revert to what appears to be his first choice back four at the moment, with Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori outside of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes.
Meanwhile, Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi are essentially shoo-ins to start on Tyneside, with the third man in the midfield trio a talking point.
Mikel Merino’s inclusion has come under criticism in recent weeks, and Arteta will surely now go for a more offensive selection in the form of Eberechi Eze, after the former Crystal Palace man impressed in this role off the bench against Manchester City.
With Eze deployed in midfield, Arteta will have a decision to make between Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli on the left wing.
Trossard was rested against Port Vale until the 80th minute, but the Belgian struggled against City and ought to start the Newcastle game on the bench.
Meanwhile, Bukayo Saka and Viktor Gyokeres will complete Arsenal’s front three.
Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Newcastle: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Zubimendi, Rice, Eze, Saka, Gyokeres, Martinelli.
Newcastle team news ahead of Arsenal clash
Howe has few injury issues to contend with for the visit of Arsenal.
The Magpies have endured a slightly disappointing start to the new campaign, rocked by the saga around Alexander Isak, although this hasn’t been a result of major fitness issues.
Jacob Murphy faces a late fitness test ahead of Sunday’s encounter, as the winger is currently nursing an Achilles injury.
Meanwhile, Fabian Schar will miss the game with a head injury, meaning new signing Malick Thiaw is likely to start.
However, two other new signings will not be involved against the Gunners. Yoane Wissa is recovering from a knee injury, while Jacob Ramsey is under rehabilitation for an ankle problem he sustained against Leeds at Elland Road in August.
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