Arsenal are charged with arresting their slip and regaining a control in the Premier League title race as they host Newcastle looking to move back to the top of the table.
Mikel Arteta’s side emerged on the losing side of last Sunday’s title six-pointer with Manchester City, allowing them to close what was once a 10-point gap and move to the top of the table this week with their win over Burnley.
The Gunners have now lost four on the bounce in domestic competitions and are at serious risk of their title bid falling apart, if they fail to end their struggles.
They welcome the visit of 14th-placed Newcastle, who are themselves going through quite the rough patch after suffering five straight defeats, with pressure piling on Eddie Howe.
Follow all the action from the Emirates Stadium in our live blog below:
Arsenal team news
In the nick of time, Arteta is expecting to welcome Bukayo Saka back into the squad this evening, along with Riccardo Calafiori, although it is unclear if either will be able to go straight into the starting XI.
Jurrien Timber and Mikel Merino remain absent.
Hello
… and welcome to live coverage of a huge clash that could have a major say on who wins the Premier League title. Arsenal, licking their wounds and in search of a response following last Sunday’s defeat away to Manchester City, are now second in the table having spent the majority of the campaign top.
But Mikel Arteta’s team know that a win against Newcastle, who are out of form and contention for any of their pre-season targets, would return them to the top because City face Southampton in an FA Cup semi-final.
Kick-off at the Emirates Stadium is 17:30 BST.
