The Premier League returns to the Emirates Stadium on Monday, as Arsenal face Newcastle United in their quest for Champions League qualification.

The Gunners may not have any big six matches remaining in the final eight games of the campaign, but that doesn’t stop all of them being crucial games if Unai Emery wants to finish in the top four. Just a few points separate third and sixth, so failing to take all three points from this kind of clash could be fatal.

After a number of injury concerns over the international break, pretty much everyone appears to have recovered in time for this match. However, Lucas Torreira will be missing through suspension and if Sokratis Papastathopoulos starts, he’ll have to avoid a yellow card or face a two-game ban.

Let’s have a look at our predicted lineup for the clash.

Goalkeeper and Defence

The international break came at just the wrong time for Bernd Leno, as he was in great form before it. The only two goals he’d conceded in four Premier League matches were a Spurs penalty and a two-on-one against Bournemouth after a defensive error. He should start over Petr Cech, who continues to take the Europa League games.

Arsenal will likely stick with three centre-backs and two wing-backs for this match, as the system has been working well for them.

With Nacho Monreal passed fit, he should start at the back alongside Laurent Koscielny and Sokratis Papastathopoulos, with Shkodran Mustafi dropping to the bench. Though it’s possible any one of the four could be rested ahead of a busy April. Particularly Sokratis, given the danger of a two-match ban for Everton and Watford away if he’s booked.

In the wing-back positions, Sead Kolasinac and Ainsley Maitland-Niles should both keep their places, given their strong form.

Midfield

This area of the field is the most unpredictable, thanks to injuries. Both Granit Xhaka and Aaron Ramsey could miss out, after knocks over the international break, but Emery seemed optimistic about both of them. With Lucas Torreira suspended, Matteo Guendouzi is the only real alternative, bar Mohamed Elneny making a very rare start.

Ahead of the sitting pair, Mesut Özil should keep his place. He’s in good form and in this formation there are no strong alternatives. The likes of Alex Iwobi, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Denis Suarez are all better in the wide positions, so they’re more likely to come on if Arsenal need to change the game with a different approach.

Forwards

No surprises here, as Arsenal’s main man up front should get starts again. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang spent the international break with Gabon, but he only played one game and returned immediately afterwards, so he’s been back with the squad for the last few days.

Meanwhile, Alexandre Lacazette started and scored against Al-Nasr Dubai SC for Arsenal, assisted by Özil. In competitive matches, Lacazette and Aubameyang have directly contributed to 25 goals and 28 goals respectively.

If Arsenal are going to have any chance of a top-four finish and progressing to the Europa League semi-finals and beyond, they’re going to need those two on top form.

Full Predicted Starting XI