Gunners have only one fit centre-back going into the clash against the St James' Park outfit, who are one of the form teams in the league having beaten league leaders Chelsea in last weekend's Premier League fixture.

The north London club have had a wretched run when it comes to injuries being picked up by their players and have not played their regular back four since Mathieu Debuchy got injured in September. The Frenchman has since returned, but it does look like the manager will have to look at the reserves to make up the numbers on Saturday.

Wenger told Arsenal’s official website:

“Our main problems are still defensively because Laurent Koscielny looks like he will not be quite ready, Nacho Monreal is not back and Calum Chambers is suspended.”

Laurent Koscielny (calf) Nacho Monreal (foot) Calum Chambers(suspended). Mikel Arteta (calf) and Theo Walcott (groin) are all out. Aaron Ramsey (hamstring) will be assessed tomorrow.

Wenger could be forced to move Mathieu Debuchy into central defence against the Magpies, with full backs Kieran Gibbs and Hector Bellerin their only other defensive options in the senior squad.

Arsenal's injury list is now as follows: Wilshere, Walcott, Ramsey (doubt), Arteta, Monreal, Koscielny, Rosicky, Ospina, Özil, Gnabry.