Arsenal Confirmed Lineup vs Newcastle United: Pepe in for Martinelli; Ceballos returns

Arsenal's Brazilian striker Gabriel Martinelli (C) celebrates scoring the opening goal with Arsenal's French-born Ivorian midfielder Nicolas Pepe during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Sheffield United at the Emirates Stadium in London on January 18, 2020. (Photo by DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP via Getty Images)

Nicolas Pepe comes into the side for Gabriel Martinelli, while Dani Ceballos returns to the starting lineup as Arsenal get set to take on Newcastle United.

Mikel Arteta has made three changes to the side that started in the goalless draw against Burnley last time out in the Premier League as Arsenal prepare to play hosts to Newcastle United at the Emirates.

There are no changes at the back, with the key news being Bukayo Saka’s continued presence as the left-back. Saka is preferred to the fit-again Sead Kolasinac on the left, while Hector Bellerin starts on the right flank. At the heart of the Chelsea defence, Shkodran Mustafi and David Luiz continue their partnership while Bernd Leno starts in goal.

The first change to the starting lineup comes in midfield, where Dani Ceballos starts his first Premier League game since recovering from a hamstring injury. Ceballos has replaced Matteo Guendouzi and will partner Granit Xhaka in the middle of the park. The remaining two changes come in attack, starting with the return of Nicolas Pepe.

Pepe comes into the side in place of Gabriel Martinelli, who has dropped to the bench. The big news, though, is that Alexandre Lacazette does not start, with Eddie Nketiah set to lead the line for Arsenal against Newcastle instead. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mesut Ozil keep their places and join Pepe in behind Nketiah.

Arsenal Starting Lineup: Leno, Bellerin, Mustafi, Luiz, Saka, Ceballos, Xhaka, Pepe, Ozil, Aubameyang, Nketiah

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