When, little more than a month ago, Newcastle lost 3-0 at Brighton they seemed Championship bound and Steve Bruce looked set to be sacked. Instead, Mike Ashley opted to stick rather than twist and this apparent gamble on the part of the club’s owner has seen the team collect eight points from their last four games. Should an Arsenal side likely to have one eye on next week’s Europa League semi-final, second leg against Villarreal be beaten Newcastle will reach the 39-point mark and be virtually certain of avoiding relegation. Yet, while an attacking combination of Callum Wilson and Allan Saint-Maximin look set to stretch Mikel Arteta’s defence, the Tynesiders must cope without their recent super-sub, the unavailable Arsenal loanee Joe Willock. Louise Taylor
Sunday 2pm Sky Sports Premier League
Venue St James’ Park
Last season Newcastle 0 Arsenal 1
Referee Mike Dean
This season G21 Y76 R7 3.95 cards/game
Odds H 3-1 A Evens D 11-4
NEWCASTLE
Subs from Gillespie, Manquillo, Joelinton, Krafth, Lewis, M Longstaff, Carroll, Hendrick, Gayle, Schär
Doubtful Schär (knee), Ritchie (calf)
Injured Lascelles (foot, Aug), Fraser (groin, Aug), Darlow (knee, Aug)
Suspended None
Discipline Y57 R2
Form DLDWWD
Leading scorer Wilson 10
ARSENAL
Subs from Rúnarsson, Ryan, Mari, Chambers, Holding, Xhaka, Partey, Smith Rowe, Nelson, Saka, Pépé, Balogun, Aubameyang
Doubtful None
Injured Tierney (knee, 6 May), Lacazette (hamstring, 6 May),
Suspended None
Discipline Y44 R5
Form WDLWDL
Leading scorer Lacazette 13
