At a stage of the season where every dropped point can have a decisive impact Unai Emery's task in looking to guide Arsenal into the top four was not aided by a trio of critical injury blows.
Club captain Laurent Koscielny and Granit Xhaka were not part of the matchday squad for the visit of Newcastle United to the visit of the Emirates Stadium whilst Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, the Gunners' top scorer, dropped to the bench.
In their place came Shkodran Mustafi, Matteo Guendouzi and Alex Iwobi, certainly three more than adequate replacements, but it did mean the Gunners began a crucial game where a victory would take them over Tottenham and into third shorn of arguably their best defender, midfielder and striker.
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As football.london first revealed - and Arsenal subsequently confirmed - Koscielny and Xhaka missed the squad due to a bruising on his left toe and a tight groin respectively. Though no definitive decision has been made on their involvement for Sunday's trip to Everton there is cause for optimism that both will be available.
Similarly Aubameyang's absence is unlikely to be a lengthy one. The Gabon striker, who has scored 22 goals in all competitions this season, had something of a high temperature before kick-off but was fit enough to be named among Unai Emery's substitutes.
In his absence Emery opted to switch from a 3-4-1-2 to a 3-4-2-1, with Iwobi and Mesut Ozil providing support to Alexandre Lacazette.
Arsenal legend Ian Wright said of Aubameyang's absence: "You want to start with your main strikers. I think Newcastle will be quite resolute tonight.
"I know Aubameyang has done a bit of travelling - you want the best forwards on your pitch so you can get a goal early."
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