EPL: Arsenal v Newcastle preview
Arsenal v Newcastle preview
Arsenal will be without injured duo Theo Walcott and Aaron Ramsey for Saturday's Premier League visit of Newcastle.
Ramsey injured his hamstring in last weekend's 1-1 draw at Southampton while Walcott (groin) is also sidelined, although the Gunners could welcome back Shkodran Mustafi as the defender is back in training following a thigh complaint.
After another disappointing draw in midweek, Arsenal are winless in three consecutive Premier League games for the first time since April - scoring just once in that run since putting five past Huddersfield in late November.
Newcastle's woeful recent form has left them just a point above the relegation zone. Rafa Benitez's men have picked up just one point in their last eight Premier League games (W0 D1 L7) - the worst points tally of any Premier League club over their last eight games. Despite such a run, club captain Jamaal Lascelles isn't panicking just yet.
"A lot of people would probably have been happy with the points we are on if they were asked at the start of the season, so I am not going to say we are in a relegation battle.
Arsene Wenger is likely to bring Sead Kolasinac and Alexandre Lacazette back into his starting line-up after they were rested at West Ham, but Santi Cazorla (ankle) remains absent.
Benitez will be without midfielder Jonjo Shelvey. Shelvey starts a two-match ban after being sent off for the second time this season during Wednesday night's 1-0 home defeat by Everton.
Striker Aleksandar Mitrovic will also sit out with a back problem, but full-back Paul Dummett is available for the first time since the opening day of the campaign following a hamstring injury.
After another disappointing draw in midweek, Arsenal are winless in three consecutive Premier League games for the first time since April - scoring just once in that run since putting five past Huddersfield in late November.
Newcastle's woeful recent form has left them just a point above the relegation zone. Rafa Benitez's men have picked up just one point in their last eight Premier League games (W0 D1 L7) - the worst points tally of any Premier League club over their last eight games. Despite such a run, club captain Jamaal Lascelles isn't panicking just yet.
"A lot of people would probably have been happy with the points we are on if they were asked at the start of the season, so I am not going to say we are in a relegation battle.
Arsene Wenger is likely to bring Sead Kolasinac and Alexandre Lacazette back into his starting line-up after they were rested at West Ham, but Santi Cazorla (ankle) remains absent.
Benitez will be without midfielder Jonjo Shelvey. Shelvey starts a two-match ban after being sent off for the second time this season during Wednesday night's 1-0 home defeat by Everton.
Striker Aleksandar Mitrovic will also sit out with a back problem, but full-back Paul Dummett is available for the first time since the opening day of the campaign following a hamstring injury.