The Gunners have home advantage in this first-leg clash with the Magpies at the Emirates Stadium, with both teams in good form.

Nick Pope, Callum Wilson, Jamaal Lascelles and Emil Krafth are all still out injured, though Sven Botman’s late withdrawal on his return following nine months out with an ACL injury at Tottenham was put down to cramp.

The Gunners face Newcastle in the Carabao Cup semifinals but their hopes of winning silverware are hampered by the absence of star forward Saka.