Arsenal suffer defensive crisis days before crucial Newcastle United clash

Arsenal have suffered a defensive crisis ahead of Monday night’s clash with Newcastle United at St James’ Park.

The Gunners started Thursday’s 3-0 North London derby defeat to Tottenham Hotspur with Rob Holding and Gabriel in central defence.

However, neither completed the game after Holding was sent off on 33 minutes for a second yellow.

Gabriel, meanwhile, limped off in the remaining quarter of an hour with a hamstring problem.

Mikel Arteta’s side ended a miserable evening with a centre-back pairing consisting of recognised full-backs Cedric Soares and Takehiro Tomiyasu.

A brace from Harry Kane and a goal from Son Heung-Min fired Spurs to within a point of 4th place Arsenal, ensuring the race for Champions League qualification is wide open with two games left to play.

Ben White was on the bench for the Gunners at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium but wasn’t risked with the England international nursing a hamstring issue.

Should White return in time to play against Newcastle, Arteta still faces fielding at least one makeshift central defender.