Arsenal predicted XI vs Newcastle United: Two major changes made as £90m duo return to starting line up

Arsenal will be hoping to continue their impressive run of form in the Premier League when they host Newcastle United at the Emirates on Saturday night. The Gunners have won five in a row in the top flight, scoring five goals or more on three occasions during that streak, and are currently five points behind leaders Liverpool, but with a game in hand over the Reds.

Mikel Arteta's men did, however, suffer something of a blip in the Champions League in midweek, slumping to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Portuguese giants FC Porto. Arsenal will now need to overcome that deficit in the second leg of their tie if they are to reach the quarter-final of the prestigious competition.

For their part, Newcastle are enjoying something of a resurgence themselves, and are unbeaten in four matches in the league, winning two and drawing two in that time. They are currently eighth in the table, and could leapfrog Brighton with a win in the capital.

But how will both sides line up on Saturday evening? We've taken a look at their latest team news and predicted starting XIs below...

Arsenal Team News

Arsenal's injury woes are beginning to subside a little, with the likes of Fabio Vieira and Emile Smith Rowe both fit enough to make the bench for the midweek defeat against FC Porto, but the Gunners could still be without a smattering of big names on Saturday night.

Jurrien Timber remains sidelined as a consequence of the ACL injury he suffered on the opening weekend of the season, although it is understood that his rehabilitation is progressing well. There are also doubts over the likes Oleksandr Zinchenko and Takehiro Tomiyasu, with both players carrying knocks that could rule them out of action this weekend.

Elsewhere, however, there is more promising news. Gabriel Jesus could be in contention to feature, with the Brazilian striker set to face a late assessment ahead of Newcastle's visit. Likewise, Thomas Partey could finally make his long-awaited return from a persistent muscle complaint. Speaking last week, his manager said: 'Thomas is progressing really well. I don’t want to say too much but he’s looking very good and he’s on the field already.'

Arsenal Predicted XI

David Raya; Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Jakub Kiwior; Declan Rice, Thomas Partey Martin Odegaard; Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli.

Newcastle United Team News

By comparison, Newcastle's squad is riddled with absentees heading into the weekend. Callum Wilson may not play again this season after suffering a pectoral injury that required surgery during the recent victory over Nottingham Forest, while Joelinton is facing a similarly lengthy lay-off after sustaining a thigh injury during last month's Tyne-Wear derby win over Sunderland.

Elsewhere, the likes of Matt Targett and Elliot Anderson are not expected back until mid-March, while Nick Pope is still recovering from the dislocated shoulder he suffered back in December. Midfielder Sandro Tonali is unavailable due to a gambling-related ban that will run until August.

In better news for the Magpies, influential trio Fabian Schar, Joe Willock, and Alexander Isak should all be in contention to start, with Eddie Howe saying of the Swedish striker in particular: 'He is very close and looking really good. I am really pleased with his progress.'

Newcastle United Predicted XI

Martin Dubravka; Kieran Trippier, Fabian Schar, Sven Botman, Dan Burn; Sean Longstaff, Bruno Guimaraes, Joe Willock; Miguel Almiron, Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon.