Arsenal star Gabriel Jesus is a major doubt for this evening's Premier League clash against Newcastle United after suffering a setback in training.
The Brazilian has missed the last four games after suffering from a knee injury and wasn't pictured in training ahead of the Magpies' visit to the Emirates Stadium.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta said: "We couldn’t resolve that as quickly as we wanted and he had a small reaction in training again. We didn’t want to take any more risks because he’s been out for quite a while and he’s a player that we need at his best and we decided to give him a few more days."
Although Arsenal suffered the disappointment of losing to Porto in the Champions League on Wednesday, their Premier League form has been scintillating of late with five straight wins. And their clinical edge in front of goal may spark fear into the Magpies' leaky defence having beaten West Ham United 6-0 and Burnley 5-0 in recent weeks.
Arsenal are third in the top-flight table, five points off leaders Liverpool and 18 ahead of Newcastle, who have already conceded 17 goals in 2024. Eddie Howe's side, however, have found the net 16 times this year, bettered only by Liverpool and Arsenal.
The previous meeting between the two sides ended in a dramatic 1-0 win to United at St James' Park while last year's encounter at the Emirates ended 0-0. Here's the early team news from both camps:
1. Sandro Tonali - out
The Italian is banned from football until August following an investigation into illegal betting activity.
2. Joelinton - out
Joelinton underwent surgery on his groin last month and won't return until May the earliest.
3. Nick Pope - out
Newcastle have been without Pope since December after he underwent surgery on a dislocated shoulder.
4. Matt Targett - out
Targett underwent surgery on his hamstring in November. He has returned to training but isn't yet ready for the matchday squad.