Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta sprung a surprise with his team selection as they returned from the winter break against Newcastle.
Youngster Eddie Nketiah, who spent the first half of the season on loan at Leeds, was preferred to in-form Gabriel Martinelli and Alexandre Lacazette to join Nicolas Pepe and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in their front-three.
Dani Ceballos also made his first appearance since November after returning from a spell on the sidelines with injury, partnering Granit Xhaka in central midfield.
Despite his choice raising eyebrows, Arteta explained the decision ahead of the game and claimed both players had impressed in training.
He also highlighted Nketiah as an ideal fit against a Newcastle side expected to sit back and offer a defensive approach at the Emirates.
Asked about Nketiah, Arteta told Sky Sports: "He's been training really well. He's a kid that has a goal in him.
"I believe that we have a game ahead with a really low block and a lot of numbers behind the ball.
"He's a very talented player to find goals and get into goalscoring situations.
"I trust him, that's why I decided to keep him.
"Dani (Ceballos) has been, again, after the injury he had a few weeks where he had to pick his fitness up.
"But he's been training really, really well and he completely deserves his chance."
There was no place in the side for Matteo Guendouzi, however, with the young French midfielder left out of the squad entirely.
"It was a tactical decision," Arteta explained.
Ceballos's return to the fold comes after he revealed the role Arsenal fans had in convincing him to stay at the club.
He was linked with a January exit to cut short his loan spell and head back to Spain.
"I like to have stability at a club and I decided to stay because Arsenal took a chance on me and I want to return that trust," he told MARCA.
"It sounds silly but the Arsenal fans have a song about me, only three or four players have one and they've been there years. I feel really loved."
"Mikel is going to be a great coach.
"He's learnt from Pep. Since I came back I've been working with him for around two weeks and now I have to show I should be playing for Arsenal. I'll be important after the break."
