Arsenal's penultimate away game of the 2022/23 season is a massive one for many reasons.
Of course, the fixture is of huge importance for the visitors with regard to the Premier League title race. The Gunners know a victory over Newcastle United is important to any hope of capitalising should Manchester City drop points in their final four games of the season.
Meanwhile, despite Mikel Arteta insisting that his side do not need to use last season's 2-0 defeat at St James' Park - a result that effectively ended their hopes of a top-four finish - as motivation for Sunday afternoon's big game, it's sure to add a little extra spice to proceedings.
READ MORE: Every word Mikel Arteta said on Gabriel's injury, Saliba's fitness and Newcastle motivation
Now, given the stakes, it's vital the Arsenal manager gets his team selection spot on and he has somewhat of a selection dilemma on his hands with Jorginho and Jakub Kiwior impressing in the 3-1 win over Chelsea on Tuesday night whilst Gabriel Martinelli and Thomas Partey are pushing for recalls.
So what will he do? Well, once again, football.london's Arsenal writers Kaya Kaynak, Tom Canton and Tashan Deniran-Alleyne are on hand to offer their assistance to the Spanish tactician. Below, they name their respective starting line-ups for the visitors against Newcastle United.
Kaya Kaynak - Chief Arsenal Writer
If I were Mikel Arteta I would look to keep the composure that Jakub Kiwior brought to the backline for the clash with Newcastle. He's not the perfect solution by any chance, but after the hectic matches with Rob Holding in backline I would keep the Polish international in there alongside Gabriel.
Kieran Tierney could have a case to play given Oleksandr Zinchenko's shaky defensive form at the moment, but given how Newcastle are likely to flood the midfield, I think the Ukrainian is just about the better pick. Ben White is an obvious choice on the right.
In midfield, it's really harsh on Jorginho who was impressive against Chelsea, but I'm bringing Thomas Partey back in. I just think Arsenal need someone who can handle the intense pressure that Newcastle pose with a degree of composure of Partey offers that more as far as I'm concerned. Granit Xhaka and Martin Odegaard are of course in the team after their performances on Tuesday.
Up front, I feel like you need to keep Leandro Trossard in the team. He's been excellent since arriving and Arsenal's record with him in the team is sublime. However, I don't really think Gabriel Martinelli deserves to miss out again. I don't exactly expect Arteta to do this, but I would look to give Bukayo Saka a rest in order to get Trossard and Martinelli in the same team with Gabriel Jesus up front. Saka hasn't been on his best form and looks a little tired so maybe some time off will bring him back to his best.
Kaynak's Arsenal XI vs Newcastle: Ramsdale; White, Kiwior, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Partey, Xhaka, Odegaard; Trossard, Jesus, Martinelli
Tom Canton - Arsenal Writer
Just the one change for me from the team that faced off against Chelsea on Tuesday night. Kieran Tierney enters the side to give Arsenal some much-needed additional reinforcement in defence against a free-scoring Newcastle side.
Oleksandr Zinchenko has been caught on a number of occasions of late and Tierney’s additional defensive astuteness could come in handy for the trip to the northeast. Assuming Gabriel Magalhaes is fit, he partners Jakub Kiwior for successive matches over Rob Holding and for good reason.
Kiwior allowed Arsenal to be better in possession out from the back is sure to face a much trickier test than his midweek experience. Jorginho will be tasked again with protecting the back four and Mikel Arteta will appreciate his calm approach that has been somewhat absent from Thomas Partey in his recent appearances.
Leandro Trossard simply has to play and while this isn’t a slight on Gabriel Martinelli, he’s the easiest to drop despite being top scorer at the moment. The Belgian starts, Arsenal win and with this game being a must-win like the other three matches it seems obvious to start the positive presence in the side.
Canton's Arsenal XI vs Newcastle: Ramsdale; White, Kiwior, Gabriel, Tierney; Jorginho, Xhaka, Odegaard, Saka, Gabriel Jesus, Trossard
Tashan Deniran-Alleyne - Arsenal Writer
First thing's first, Arsenal have to be solid defensively if they're to leave St James' Park with the three points they need and assuming Gabriel Magalhaes is fit, he is an automatic starter given. For me, he has been the best defender at the club throughout the season and will need to rise to the occasion whether it's Callum Wilson or Alexander Isak leading the line.
Furthermore, I'd be looking to restore Kieran Tierney in defence as a replacement for Oleksandr Zinchenko at left-back as the Ukraine international has suffered lapses in concentration recently. Otherwise, it's the same back four that started against Chelsea with Jakub Kiwior preferred to Rob Holding.
The one change I can see in the engine room is Thomas Partey for Jorginho in a straight swap. That's no slight on the Italian who brought an extra level of control against his former club in midweek, it's more of a case that I don't think he would be able to cope with the physicality of Newcastle's midfielders.
And in attack, I don't think Leandro Trossard did enough against Chelsea to suggest he should retain his place over Gabriel Martinelli. The Gunners must be ruthless at St James' Park and who better to rely on than the Brazilian who has 15 Premier League goals this season?
Deniran-Alleyne's Arsenal XI vs Newcastle: Ramsdale; White, Kiwior, Gabriel, Tierney; Partey, Odegaard, Xhaka; Saka, G. Jesus, Martinelli
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