A victory over Bournemouth ensured Arsenal a top spot at New Year's eve and they will be hoping to maintain that when they host Newcastle United on Saturday. Injuries to key players including the likes of Alexis Sanchez, Santi Cazorla and Francis Coquelin was a major blow to Arsenal's title ambitions, but the Gunners have been boosted by the inspirational form of German international Mesut Ozil.
The 27 year old has been in impeccable form having registered 16 assists in the Premier League so far. However Arsene Wenger has hinted that the former Real Madrid man is in the red zone and must be rested in order to avoid an injury.
"Mesut, I gave him a one-week holiday during the international break," Wenger said.
"At the moment he doesn't practice a lot, we rest him a lot between the games..jpg)
"He is a guy who once the basic fitness is there between the games, he wants to play.
"There are types of players, sometimes the most technical players, it looks like it demands less energy for them to play -- it is just natural for them."
However the Frenchman expressed his reluctance to rest his star player, given the injury crisis the club is going through.
"I don't have Wilshere or Cazorla who are No. 10s," he said. "I could rest him more if I had these players because Wilshere can play there and Cazorla can play there.
Newcastle on the other hand find themselves in the relegation zone after 19 matches and are without a win in their last three. They will be without goalkeeper Rob Elliott but could welcome back Emmanuel Riviere and Rolando Aarons to the squad.
Arsenal on the other hand could have Mathieu Flamini back in the side but will continue to be without the likes of Mikel Arteta, Alexis Sanchez, Santi Cazorla, Francis Coquelin, Jack Wilshere and Danny Welbeck. Laurent Koscielny is expected to start after being rested in the 2-0 win over Bournemouth.
Which channel is broadcasting Arsenal vs Newcastle United on TV or Online?
- In USA at 10:00 EST: on NBCSN, NBC Sports Live Extra, NBC UNIVERSO, SiriusXM FC, Westwood One Sports, NBC Deportes En Vivo Extra
- In Canada at 10:00 EST: on Sportsnet World, Sportsnet World Now
Fans in Australia can watch the match live on Fox Sports 1 Australia whereas those in the African countries can watch the match on SuperSport 3 Africa. The match can also be internationally followed on Arsenal Player and TalkSport Radio World. For a comprehensive listing of global broadcast listings, visit the Arsenal vs Newcastle United match page.
*NOTE: Live broadcast data is subject to change.
Team sheets for Arsenal vs Newcastle
Arsenal's XI: Cech, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Özil, Giroud, Walcott, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ramsey, Monreal, Flamini, Bellerin.
Newcastle's XI: Elliot, Coloccini, Dummet, Colback, Wijnaldum, Sissoko, Perez, Mbemba, Janmaat, Tiote, Mitrovic.
Arsenal's subs: Ospina, Gibbs, Gabriel, Chambers, Campbell, Iwobi, Reine-Adelaide
Newcastle's subs: Darlow, Gouffran,De Jong, Lascelles, Thauvin, Toney, Mbabu
Match details, result and original broadcast info
This match has ended. Below are the original Live broadcast details for this match.
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