LONDON, Sporting Alert – Early team news and manager quotes ahead of the English Premier League clash between Arsenal and Newcastle United at Emirates Stadium on Saturday (16).
Arsenal could have Shkodran Mustafi available again after the center-back returned to training this week.
Live television coverage will be on CNBC and NBCSports.com will have live stream, starting at 10:00 am ET.
Mustafi suffered a thigh injury during the 3-1 defeat to Manchester United, but is back in training and will offer another option for Arsene Wenger and the Gunners in the back.
Forward Theo Walcott is unlikely to feature because of a groin injury, while central midfielder Aaron Ramsey has suffered a hamstring injury and has been ruled out.
Meanwhile, playmaker Mesut Ozil, despite being linked with a move away from Arsenal, is prepared to work hard to help the Gunners close the gap on the leaders.
He wrote on @MesutOzil1088: “On my way home from the last training session before the Newcastle game. Tomorrow, we will work as hard as we can in order to start a new unbeaten run at the Emirates! Let’s do this together, Gooners!??? #AFCvNUFC #Arsenal
For Newcastle United, the club is reporting that forward Aleksandar Mitrovic had not recovered from a back problem and will miss the match.
Hot-tempered midfielder Jonjo Shelvey is suspended after his late sending off in the 1-0 defeat to Everton in midweek, but full-back Paul Dummett is available for the first time since the opening day of the season when he picked up a hamstring injury.
Arsenal, who played to a 0-0 draw with West Ham United in the last outing, have won each of their last nine Premier League games against Newcastle United and are the favorites to pick up all three points this weekend.
The Gunners have also scored 22 goals and conceded just six in the last nine.
Arsene Wenger: “We want to continue what we do well and improve the finishing, be a bit sharper in our finishing.”
Rafael Benitez: “What is the way to move forward? Obviously, start winning. It’s just to stay calm, keep going in the way that we are going in the games we are doing well, and try to avoid the mistakes we are making.”
Referee: Stuart Attwell
Assistants: Simon Long, Matthew Wilkes
Fourth official: Mike Dean
