Arsenal v Newcastle preview

Arsenal have won all of their last three home matches (all competitions) against Newcastle by a 3-0 scoreline. They are 15/2 to do so again - BET NOW
Between them, Andy Carroll and Kevin Nolan have scored 12 of Newcastle's 19 Premier League goals this season. Carroll is 4/1 to score in 90 minutes - BET NOW
Kevin Nolan is the joint-top scorer in the Premier League this season (seven goals). He is 9/2 to get on the scoresheet - BET NOW
Arsenal will be looking to cement their second-placed standing when they entertain a buoyant Newcastle side.
The Gunners currently sit five points adrift of league leaders Chelsea but have hit top gear of late and will be looking to eat into that gap over the coming weeks.
Three victories on the bounce have taken Arsene Wenger's men to the head of the chasing pack, with just one goal conceded during that run, although they suffered a slip-up in the UEFA Champions League in midweek.
The Gunners' success has been built on a never-say-die attitude, with late goals plundered in nine of their last 11 league matches at Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal will fancy their chances of picking up another welcome three-point haul this weekend, as they have made light work of Newcastle in recent meetings.
The Gunners have scored at least three goals in each of the last three meetings between the two clubs in all competitions and will be looking for more of the same on Sunday.
In fact, the Magpies have won just one of their last 15 games with Arsenal in the league and will head to the capital knowing they face another tough test.
Chris Hughton's side are, however, flying after last week's sensational 5-1 derby victory over Sunderland and will enter their latest fixture in confident mood.
Were they to upset the high-flying Gunners on their home patch, Newcastle would wrap up a run of three straight wins in the top flight for the first time since April 2008.
They do need to start spreading the goals around, though, if they are to remain competitive, as Andy Carroll and Kevin Nolan have scored 12 of the Magpies' 19 so far this term.
Arsenal are expected to recall Cesc Fabregas and Andrey Arshavin to their starting line-up, after the duo missed the midweek reverse at the hands of Shakhtar Donetsk.
Fabregas was rested for that fixture while Arshavin had a virus, but both are ready to face the Magpies.
Thomas Vermaelen is closing on a return following an Achilles problem, but Sunday's game comes too soon for the Belgium centre-half.
Abou Diaby (ankle) and Kieran Gibbs (knee) are set to miss out again while Robin van Persie is still not ready to feature despite being included in Holland's preliminary squad for an upcoming friendly against Turkey.
Newcastle defender Sol Campbell will be denied the opportunity to line up against his former employers as he is still nursing a thigh complaint.
Tim Krul will continue to deputise between the sticks for the injured Steve Harper, with Hughton's first-choice keeper expected to be out for another month.
Dan Gosling (cruciate ligament) and Hatem Ben Arfa (broken leg) remain long-term absentees for the Magpies.
Arsenal: Fabianski, Sagna, Squillaci, Koscielny, Clichy, Walcott, Fabregas, Song, Nasri, Arshavin, Chamakh.
Newcastle: Krul, Simpson, Coloccini, Williamson, Jose Enrique, Tiote, Barton, Nolan, Gutierrez, Ameobi, Carroll.
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