Kieran Tierney is fit again and starts while Thomas Partey and Cedric Soares also get the nod as Arsenal get ready to take on Newcastle United.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has made three changes to the side that drew against Crystal Palace last week for the game against Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium.
Two of the three changes made come in defence where Kieran Tierney makes a swift return to the side after missing the last game due to an injury. He slots in at left-back at the expense of Ainsley Maitland-Niles while Cedric Soares comes in for Hector Bellerin at right-back. David Luiz and Rob Holding are retained at the heart of the Arsenal defence while Bernd Leno starts in goal.
? Here's how we line up tonight…
?? @ThomasPartey22 starts
??????? @KieranTierney1 returns
?? @OficialCedric also in starting XI#️⃣ #ARSNEW
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 18, 2021
The final change that Arteta has made comes in midfield where marquee summer signing Thomas Partey comes into the side. The Ghanaian has recovered from his injury and made an appearance from the bench last game and will be hoping to kickstart his season against Newcastle. He replaces Dani Ceballos as Granit Xhaka’s partner in midfield.
Upfront, there are no changes made as Arteta has stuck with Bukayo Saka and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as the wide forwards while Emile Smith Rowe slots in as the No. 10. Alexandre Lacazette spearheads the Arsenal attack against Newcastle United, with the fit-again Gabriel Martinelli being named on the bench.
Arsenal Starting Lineup: Leno; Cedric, Holding, Luiz, Tierney; Partey, Xhaka; Saka, Smith Rowe, Aubameyang; Lacazette.
