Arsenal are facing Newcastle United in the Saturday early kick-off in the Premier League at St James’ Park.
Mikel Arteta named a strong side, but Ben White was only fit enough to make the bench as William Saliba returned from suspension.
Thomas Partey was selected at right-back, and Arsenal need a win to give their Premier League title charge a boost.
The Arsenal team are wearing black armbands against Newcastle, as a mark of respect to the victims of recent flooding in the Valencian region of Spain, and Arteta has explained the reasoning behind this.
Arsenal wear black armbands vs Newcastle in tribute to Valencia victims
Speaking to TNT Sports before the game, Arteta revealed that his side would wear black armbands in tribute to the victims of flooding in Valencia, which has claimed over 200 lives so far, and thanked the Premier League for allowing them to do so.
“Thank you so much to the Premier League for allowing that, and for Newcastle as well for supporting that initiative,” he stated.
“It’s terrible what happened, we are still in a big mess, but at least to see that support from everybody in football, and the message we can send is something very positive, and I’m very grateful for that.”
Arsenal have also confirmed that their kits will be embroidered with Poppies ahead of Remembrance Sunday next week.
Mikel Arteta pays respects after Valencia flooding
Arteta also paid his respects to the victims in the Valencian region and speaking in his press conference on Friday, he offered his full support to those affected by recent events in his country.
“Before we start to talk about football, I would like to talk about the terrible disaster that is affecting my country at the moment,” Arteta stated.
“I want to send from our side our thoughts, our full support and our sympathy to everyone who is affected – all the families and all the individuals.
“Obviously all of the country that is pulling together to try to find the best possible solution in this difficult moment.
“From here, I just want to show my full support and ask everybody in the way that they can to support because it’s terrible what has happened.”
Arsenal have gone out of their way to pay tribute to the victims, with both the Premier League and Newcastle facilitating this.
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