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.
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.