Arsenal predicted XI v Newcastle: Arteta makes eight changes, 19-year-old handed a start

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Arsenal are in Premier League action and on the road on Sunday, hoping to get back to winning ways after going three games without a victory.

Mikel Arteta’s Gunners picked up two comprehensive wins in a row in mid-April – a 3-0 triumph at Sheffield United and the 4-0 hammering of Slavia Prague.

However, Arsenal then drew against Fulham before losing to Everton and Villarreal, so they’ll be eager for a confidence-boosting victory away at Newcastle.

There’s little to play for in the Premier League, and Arteta will most likely have one eye on next Thursday’s Europa League semi-final second leg at the Emirates.

With that in mind, who could be in the starting XI to face Steve Bruce’s side?

As per Arsenal’s latest fitness update, Alexandre Lacazette is unavailable due to a hamstring injury, Kieran Tierney will be assessed prior to kickoff, and David Luiz is available.

We predict Arteta will make eight changes, with just Bernd Leno, Granit Xhaka and Bukayo Saka retaining their starting spots from last time out.

Leno, who made a mistake against Everton, bounced back against Villarreal, and there’s no reason for him not to be involved against the Magpies – he’s likely to start.

With Luiz fit again, Arteta could change his centre-back pairing, dropping Pablo Mari and Rob Holding in place of the veteran Brazilian and compatriot Gabriel Magalhaes.

Tierney really shouldn’t be risked, so we’ll say Cedric Soares on the left, while Hector Bellerin could replace Calum Chambers on the right.

Thomas Partey could also be rested, with Mohamed Elneny taking his place, while Xhaka could be shifted back up to his traditional midfield position.

Given both Emile Smith Rowe and Martin Odegaard started on Thursday, Arteta could opt to give Willian game time at No. 10 against the Magpies.

Saka’s quality means he could well remain on the right-hand side, while on the left, Arteta could potentially give 19-year-old star Gabriel Martinelli a much-needed start.

And given Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is available and Lacazette is not, that’s a pretty easy decision for Arteta there – though Folarin Balogun would certainly be a good shout off the bench.

Arsenal predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Leno; Bellerin, Luiz, Gabriel, Cedric; Elneny, Xhaka; Saka, Willian, Martinelli; Aubameyang