Premier League preview: Hosts Arsenal look to hand Newcastle United another defeat
Arsenal will look to their place behind Premier League leaders Chelsea when they host Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, 7 November.
Arsenal go into the game five points behind leaders Chelsea. Arsene Wenger's team have won their last three league games, and will be looking to continue their run at the Emirates, where they laboured to a 1–0 victory over West Ham United on 30 October.
The Londoners lost their Champions League tie against Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday, 3 November, but will feel confident after their convincing league-cup victory over Chris Hughton's team on 27 October.
In that game, two goals from Theo Walcott helped Arsenal to a resounding 4–0 victory.
After that defeat, which led to speculation that Hughton would be sacked from his post, Newcastle regained some confidence in their 5–1 league thrashing of Sunderland last weekend as captain Kevin Nolan claimed a hat trick.
Hughton's team are now seventh in the league with 14 points, only three behind fourth-placed Manchester City.
A challenge for a top-four place is probably too much to expect from the recently promoted side, but Newcastle will do their best to hang on at the top as the season carries on.
Shola Ameobi and Kevin Nolan key for Newcastle
Along with Shola Ameobi, who scored a brace against Sunderland and sent Chelsea out of the Carling Cup with a late goal in September, Nolan is expected to provide Newcastle's inspiration going forward.
With defender Thomas Vermaelen still out for Arsenal, the visitors will hope to trouble Wenger's team at the back, where they have proven vulnerable in the Belgian's absence this season.
The defensive partnership of Fabricio Coloccini and Michael Williamson is sure to be tested against Arsenal. The pair will have to play at the top of their game to thwart the likes of Theo Walcott and Samir Nasri, the team's top scorers in the league with
four goals each so far.
Arsenal's Jack Wilshere returns from suspension
The game will see Jack Wilshere return for Wenger's team after having served a three-game suspension. Cesc Fabregas, Arsenal's captain, could also start if he is deemed fit from the hamstring strain that kept him out against Shakhtar.
Midfield trio Andrey Arshavin, Alex Song and Denilson all face late fitness tests after missing Arsenal's European fixture.
Manuel Almunia, Vermaelen, Abou Diaby and Kieran Gibbs are still out for Arsenal, while Robin van Persie and Aaron Ramsey are not ready to feature despite making progress in training.
Former Arsenal defender Sol Campbell could travel with the Newcastle team after training with the team this week. Steven Taylor could also be included in the squad after returning from a shoulder injury.
Long-term absentees Hatem Ben Arfa, Leon Best, Dan Gosling and Stephen Harper will play no part for Newcastle, but Hughton has no new injuries to worry about.
If Newcastle prevail against Arsenal, they would complete their strongest run in the league since April 2008.
But the odds are against the Northerners, who have lost their last five games against Arsenal.
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