Arsenal will relish facing relegation contenders Newcastle to banish further the memory of that Boxing Day knockout delivered by Southampton. Arsenal have not lost at home since the season’s opening day and that, coupled with Arsène Wenger masterminding victories in his last eight encounters with Newcastle, makes it unlikely Steve McClaren will turn over a new leaf to begin 2016. Graham Searles
Kick-off Saturday 3pm
Venue Emirates Stadium
Last season Arsenal 4 Newcastle United 1
Referee Anthony Taylor
This season G16, Y60, R2, 4.00 cards per game
Odds H 3-10 A 13-1 D 11-2
Arsenal
Subs from Ospina, Macey, Debuchy, Chambers, Gibbs, Gabriel, Iwobi, Reine-Adelaide, Oxlade-Chamberlain
Doubtful Flamini (ankle)
Injured Sánchez (hamstring, 9 Jan), Arteta (calf, 16 Jan), Rosicky (knee, Feb), Welbeck (knee, Feb), Wilshere (leg, Feb), Coquelin (knee, Mar), Cazorla (knee, Apr)
Suspended None
Form DWWWLW
Discipline Y19 R2
Leading scorer Giroud 10
Newcastle United
Subs from Darlow, Mbabu, Sterry, Tioté, De Jong, Thauvin, Gouffran, Lascelles, Toney
Doubtful Elliot (ill)
Injured Aarons (ankle, 9 Jan), Rivière (knee, 9 Jan), Taylor (hamstring, 12 Jan), Cissé (groin, 16 Jan), Haïdara (knee, Mar), Obertan (hamstring, Mar), Anita, Williamson (both hamstring, unknown)
Suspended None
Form LWWDLL
Discipline Y36 R3
Leading scorer Wijnaldum 7
