Newcastle vs Arsenal LIVE: Team news and line-ups before Premier League clash today – UK Times

Here’s Richard Jolly from inside St James’s Park:

“Mikel Arteta may have listened to his critics because he seems to have abandoned the policy of picking three defensive midfielders to start Eberechi Eze ahead of Mikel Merino. The Newcastle teamsheet is intriguing. It could be 3-5-2 with Jacob Murphy and Tino Livramento as wing-backs. Eddie Howe likes fielding three centre-backs against Arsenal.”

Anthony Gordon makes his return for Newcastle, starting on the left-wing after serving a three-match ban for a late challenge on Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk during a dramatic 3-2 defeat at St James’ Park more than a month ago.

For Arsenal, William Saliba is a surprise omission from the starting XI, with Cristhian Mosquera starting in his place. Ebereche Eze also starts for the Gunners.

Newcastle XI: Pope; Livramento, Thiaw, Botman, Burn; Guimaraes, Tonali, Joelinton; Murphy, Woltemade, Gordon.

Arsenal XI: Raya; Timber, Mosquera, Gabriel, Calafiori; Zubimendi, Rice, Eze; Saka, Gyokeres, Trossard.

Line-ups are expected in the next five minutes, so here’s a reminder of the early team news…

Newcastle will be missing summer signing Jacob Ramsey, who is expected to be out until next month with an ankle injury, while striker Yoane Wissa – signed to replace Alexander Isak – was injured on international duty and remains on the sidelines. Fabian Schar will also miss out after sustaining a head injury against Barcelona in the Champions League.

But Anthony Gordon returns in a boost to the side after serving a three-game suspension thanks to his sending off against Liverpool last month.

Arsenal have lost Madueke to a knee problem for an expected six to eight weeks, with the ex-Chelsea man joining Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz in the treatment room, but William Saliba and Saka both returned last weekend in a boost for the title-chasing squad. Martin Odegaard could be in line to feature two after missing three games with a shoulder issue.

Eberechi Eze scored his first goal for the Gunners since a high-profile summer move in their 2-0 Carabao Cup win over Port Vale this week, and could be rewarded with a starting berth after he was benched against Manchester City.

Joelinton has insisted Alexander Isak’s departure will not derail Newcastle’s season.

The saga surrounding the 26-year-old Sweden international’s big-money move to Liverpool rumbled on for much of the summer before eventually coming to a head on deadline day.

If Isak’s exit left a sour taste for a club which had developed his potential to the extent that they doubled their money on him inside three years, it also created a huge gap in Eddie Howe’s team.

However, Brazil midfielder Joelinton will not linger on the disappointment of losing a man who had played such a key role in the club’s recent rise as he plots a path to further success.

The Gunners finished as runners-up to Liverpool last season and currently lead the pack chasing the champions this time around.

However, they lost to the Magpies on three occasions last season, including both legs of the Carabao Cup semi-final, and have not scored a single goal in their last three visits to St James’ Park with Howe’s men having turned up the heat to get the better of them.

But Saliba is set to sign a new five-year contract in the coming days, in what is a major boost to Mikel Arteta’s side.

Newcastle host Arsenal at St. James’ Park on Sunday 28 September, with kick-off at 4.30pm.

Viewers in the UK can watch the action live on Sky Sports and the streaming platform Sky Go. If you’re not a Sky customer, you can grab a NOWTV Day Pass here to watch without a subscription.

Newcastle XI: Pope; Trippier, Botman, Burn, Livramento; Guimaraes, Tonali, Joelinton; Elanga, Woltemade, Gordon.

Arsenal XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Odegaard, Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Gyokeres, Eze.

Arsenal have lost Madueke to a knee problem for an expected six to eight weeks, with the ex-Chelsea man joining Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz in the treatment room, but William Saliba and Saka both returned last weekend in a boost for the title-chasing squad. Martin Odegaard could be in line to feature two after missing three games with a shoulder issue.

Eberechi Eze scored his first goal for the Gunners since a high-profile summer move in their 2-0 Carabao Cup win over Port Vale this week, and could be rewarded with a starting berth after he was benched against Manchester City.