Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard will feature in the Arsenal starting lineup when they take on Newcastle United at St. James’ Park on Saturday.
Arsenal will aim to bridge the gap to Liverpool at the top of the table when they lock horns with Newcastle United at St. James’ Park on Saturday evening. Mikel Arteta has received a positive update on the team news front ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Martin Odegaard has made significant progress in his recovery from a shoulder injury, and he should be fit and available to take on Newcastle United this weekend. Bukayo Saka has also gained more rhythm and fitness in the week that has gone by.
However, Noni Madueke, Kai Havertz, and Gabriel Jesus remain in the treatment room due to their knee injuries. Piero Hincapie’s availability also remains uncertain after his recent fitness issues. Meanwhile, during his pre-match press conference, Arteta provided fitness updates on Odegaard and Saka.
The Arsenal manager said, “Martin will be training with us the next two days, so hopefully he’ll be available for the game. Yeah, nothing to report there [on Saka]. I think he played the games that we anticipated, he did well, he feels good and he will be training the next few days.”
Arteta also discussed the reported contract renewal of William Saliba, saying, “Hopefully it will be everybody in the world [reporting it], Arsenal included, very soon. That’s what I’m hoping, but let’s leave the club to announce that when it’s all done.”
David Raya is an automatic pick between the sticks, with Arsenal lining up in a 4-3-3 formation in front of him against Newcastle United at St. James’ Park on Sunday. The backline will feature Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, and Riccardo Calafiori.
As for the midfield unit, Martin Odegaard will line up alongside Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice in the middle of the park. Finally, Viktor Gyokeres will lead the line for the away side against Newcastle United, with Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze being the two wide attackers. So, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli will be backup options on the bench.
Predicted Arsenal XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Odegaard, Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Gyokeres, Eze