Team News: Alexandre Lacazette returns to Arsenal XI for Newcastle United clash

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has named Alexandre Lacazette in the first XI for this afternoon's Premier League clash against Newcastle United.

The club-record signing was rested for the Gunners' goalless draw with West Ham United in midweek.

Today, Lacazette is preferred to Olivier Giroud in what is the only change made to the team by Wenger, who aims to end the North London outfit's winless run, which so far has stretched to three games in the league.

As for the visitors to the Emirates, Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez has made five changes to the side that suffered defeat at the hands of Everton in their last outing.

Rob Elliot comes in for Karl Darlow in goal, Jonjo Shelvey misses out through suspension, while Mohamed Diame, Dwight Gayle and Matt Ritchie drop out.

Ayoze Perez, Jacob Murphy and Joselu all come into the side, and there is a place on the bench for Paul Dummett, who has not played since August due to injury.

Arsenal: Cech; Bellerin, Koscielny, Monreal, Maitland-Niles; Iwobi, Xhaka, Wilshere; Ozil, Sanchez; Lacazette Subs: Ospina, Chambers, Kolasinac, Coquelin, Elneny, Welbeck, Giroud

Newcastle United: Elliot; Yedlin, Lascelles, Lejeune, Manquillo; Hayden, Merino; Murphy, Perez, Atsu; Joselu Subs: Darlow, Clark, Dummett, Diame, Aarons, Ritchie, Gayle

Follow Sports Mole's live text commentary of the match here.