Arsenal go to a fortress St James’ Park in confidence having picked up the joint most points away from home this season (19).
However, Newcastle have not lost on their home turf since the 21st September, where Hull shocked them in a 3-2 win.
Boxing Day saw both sides take all three points as Arsenal eventually broke down a resurgent West Ham while Newcastle wow-ed their support with a 5-1 win against 9-man Stoke. Dubious refereeing decisions saw Stoke depleted and were shown no mercy as Hatem Ben Arfa, Yoan Gouffran, Papiss Cisse and Loic Remy out them to the sword.
They are now unbeaten in 4 with wins against Manchester United and Crystal Palace lifting them to 7th in the standings.
Newcastle have won just one of the last 12 games with the Gunners, with last season’s match at St James’ being outshone by that at the Emirates, where Arsenal emerged 7-3 winners.
Team News
Jack Wilshere is available again after serving his two game ban following his gesture at the Manchester City fans in the loss at the Etihad before Christmas.
Aaron Ramsey picked up a thigh strain in the 3-1 win across London and boss Arsene Wenger admitted that his festive period was over:
“It looks like a thigh strain. I don't know how serious the thigh strain is but the Christmas period certainly is over for him.” Said the Frenchman, speaking on what was Aaron’s birthday.
Tomas Rosicky could be recalled after he rested against the Hammers.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Abou Diaby and Yaya Sanogo will not be ready until the new year however injury success stories Theo Walcott and Lukas Podolski will serve as inspirations.
Both scored against West Ham, and Theo will be looking to repeat last year’s feat as he scored a hat-trick against the Magpies in the reserve fixture.
Crammed
Arsene Wenger has hit out at the Gunners’ fixture schedule, claiming that a loss against West Ham would have been down to severe fatigue and would have knocked confidence:
"It has been a difficult period but mainly down to our schedule," Wenger said. "I completely think our schedule has been absolutely horrendous."
"When you do not win for four games, it's important to come back and for your confidence level to win.
"If we had not won (at West Ham), we would have had to answer many questions. It was the kind of game many people would have questioned us had we not won and especially if we lost."
The game against Newcastle is our 7th in 26 days.
Expected line-up
Szczesny; Sagna Koscielny Mertesacker Gibbs; Flamini Wilshere; Walcott Rosicky Cazorla; Giroud
Latest:
