Arsenal have made the long trip North to Newcastle United without midfielder Mesut Ozil, who is ruled out due to an illness.

Tomas Rosicky is named on the bench after his recovery from a cold, as Arsene Wenger names a strong team despite continued talk over his side's fatigue levels. Calum Chambers, Aaron Ramsey and Gabriel Paulista also return to the starting XI.

Newcastle, meanwhile, have a side ravaged with injury and suspension. Ryan Taylor and Jack Colback are named as full-backs, while Daryl Janmaat and Mike Williamson are deployed as centre-backs.

French midfielder Olivier Kemen, 18, is named on the bench for the first time after coming through the academy. He is joined by fellow teenagers Lubomir Satka and Adam Armstrong.

Newcastle United: Krul; Taylor, Janmaat, Williamson, Colback, Anita, Sissoko, Cabella, Gouffran, Ameobi, Perez
Subs: Elliot, Satka, Kemen, Gutierrez, Obertan, Armstrong, Riviere

Arsenal: Ospina, Chambers, Gabriel, Koscielny, Monreal, Coquelin, Ramsey, Alexis, Cazorla, Welbeck, Giroud
Subs: Szczesny, Gibbs, Mertesacker, Bellerin, Flamini, Rosicky, Walcott

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