One major absentee and one big call: Arsenal’s expected starting XI v Newcastle United - gallery

There was once a time, not so long ago, when Newcastle United travelling to face one of the Premier League’s ‘traditional big six’ would mean trepidation and fear.

But The Magpies will travel to face current Premier League leaders Arsenal looking to secure a win that would take them within six points of Mikel Arteta’s side. That is not to make light of the task in hand for Eddie Howe and his players. The Gunners have won 14 of their 16 Premier League games so far this season and remain unbeaten at the Emirates Stadium, with a Carabao Cup exit at the hands of Brighton and Hove Albion proving to be the only black mark on their record on their home patch.

Arteta will hope to guide his side to another win as they look to hand a further boost to their hopes of delivering a first league title in 20 years - but the former Everton midfielder has some big calls to make ahead of the game. Striker Gabriel Jesus remains unavailable after undergoing surgery and Arteta could consider a change in his defence ahead of the game. NewcastleWorld assesses what side Newcastle are likely to face at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night.