Newcastle v Arsenal: key stats, team news and provisional squads

© Adam Davy/PA Wire

Aaron Ramsey will be hoping to be involved despite a deep cut on his leg.

The Arsenal midfielder had the gash stapled closed during Thursday’s Europa League draw at CSKA Moscow and managed to play for the remainder of the match, while Jack Wilshere took a kick to his ankle but also seems likely to feature.

Granit Xhaka may return after missing the game in Russia through illness, while Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang comes back into the fold having been cup-tied.

Provisional squad: Cech, Macey, Holding, Mustafi, Chambers, Bellerin, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Monreal, Nelson, Kolasinac, Elneny, Xhaka, Wilshere, Ramsey, Ozil, Iwobi, Welbeck, Lacazette, Nketiah, Aubameyang.

Loan signing Islam Slimani will hope for a first start for Newcastle.

The Leicester frontman belatedly made his debut for the Magpies as a late substitute against Huddersfield a fortnight ago, but was ineligible to play against his parent club last weekend and will be looking to force his way into manager Rafael Benitez’s thoughts. Benitez otherwise has no fresh injury problems.

Provisional squad: Dubravka, Darlow, Yedlin, Manquillo, Dummett, Haidara, Gamez, Lascelles, Clark, Mbemba, Shelvey, Merino, Hayden, Ritchie, Atsu, Murphy, Diame, Kenedy, Perez, Gayle Slimani, Joselu.

Last season: No corresponding fixture

Last five league matches: Newcastle D L W W W; Arsenal L L W W W

Top scorers (all competitions): Ayoze Perez (Newcastle) 6; Alexandre Lacazette & Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal) 10

Referee: Anthony Taylor (Cheshire)