Report: Laurent Koscielny to miss Newcastle United trip with back injury

Arsenal are likely to be without centre-back Laurent Koscielny for their trip to Newcastle United on Saturday, according to reports.

The Frenchman missed their home game with Liverpool on Monday with a back injury, while his usual defensive partner Per Mertesacker also sat out through illness.

The Telegraph claims that Mertesacker should be fit enough to play the Magpies, but Koscielny is expected to miss out.

The paper suggests that manager Arsene Wenger will select Gabriel to partner Mertesacker at St James' Park, while the German will come in for Calum Chambers.

Arsenal have won their last five games against Newcastle.