Eddie Nketiah makes his full Premier League debut for Arsenal. The wing-backs Danny Rose and Valentino Lazaro start for the first time since moving to Newcastle on loan.

Arsenal (4-2-3-1) Leno; Bellerin, Mustafi, David Luiz, Saka; Ceballos, Xhaka; Pepe, Ozil, Aubameyang; Nketiah.
Substitutes: Martinez, Sokratis, Kolasinac, Torreira, Willock, Martinelli, Lacazette.

Hello. When Arsenal won at Newcastle on the opening weekend of the season, you would have got exceedingly long odds on this return fixture being a mid-table clash. A combination of Arsenal taking the season off and Steve Bruce producing a minor miracle means that only goal difference separates the two teams, who sit in 11th and 12th.

Arsenal are threatening to make progress under Mikel Arteta, even though results have been mediocre. While they are a medium-term project, Newcastle’s limitations - and a grotesque injury list - have given them little choice but to live hand to mouth all season. They have done it brilliantly, even if results have sometimes been better than performances.

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