Eddie Howe has made one change to his Newcastle side that beat Southampton 3-1 last Sunday with Anthony Gordon dropping out of the side in place of top scorer Callum Wilson. Gordon has dropped to the bench while Allan Saint-Maximin has returned to the matchday squad for the first time in six games.
Teenage midfielder Lewis Miley was also with the squad but not named on the bench with Sean Longstaff out with a foot injury for the second consecutive match. Jamaal Lascelles has been ruled out for the remainder of the season after picking up a calf injury.
The United captain confirmed in his pre-match programme notes that he would be out for ‘five or six weeks’ with the injury.
The match is a crucial one for both sides as Arsenal look to close the gap on Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table while Newcastle are potentially just a couple of wins away from securing Champions League football for next season.
The Magpies currently sit three points clear of Liverpool in fifth with two games in hand. But Newcastle haven’t beaten Arsenal in consecutive seasons at St James’ Park since the mid 90s with Kevin Keegan in charge.
Eddie Howe will be looking to do just that today after last season’s 2-0 win over The Gunners.
NUFC XI v Arsenal: Pope; Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn; Guimaraes, Joelinton, Willock; Murphy, Wilson, Isak
NUFC subs: Dubrakva, Dummett, Gordon, Saint-Maximin, Lewis, Targett, Manquillo, Almiron, Anderson
1. Joelinton - knock
Was named in the starting line-up v Leicester but withdrew from the side after feeling something in the pre-match warm-up. Went down the tunnel shaking his head and remains out for Chelsea.
2. Joe Willock - hamstring
His season ended after picking up a hamstring injury against Brighton and leaving on crutches.
3. Jamaal Lascelles - calf
Will miss the end of the season with a calf injury. Photo: Stu Forster
4. Matt Ritchie - knee
Out for the remainder of the season with a knee issue picked up in training.