How Arsenal could line up against Newcastle United

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is working around a defensive crisis for Monday's Premier League clash with Newcastle United at St James' Park.

Rob Holding was given his marching orders for two bookable offences in Thursday's North London derby defeat and will serve a one-match ban this week.

Meanwhile, Kieran Tierney and Thomas Partey remain out of contention, and Arteta is sweating over the fitness of Gabriel Magalhaes due to the muscular issue that he picked up in midweek.

As a result, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Ben White should pair up at the back this week, with the latter not risked against Tottenham Hotspur after only just shaking off a hamstring strain.

Cedric Soares should therefore be in for a rough ride against Allan Saint-Maximin, while Nuno Tavares comes back in on the opposite side of the rearguard.

Granit Xhaka and Mohamed Elneny's midfield partnership should not be broken up, as Martin Odegaard continues as the Gunners' creator-in-chief.

Gabriel Martinelli was not moving 100% comfortably before being taken off on Thursday, so Emile Smith Rowe could earn a recall alongside Bukayo Saka and Eddie Nketiah in attack.

Arsenal possible starting lineup: Ramsdale; Cedric, Tomiyasu, White, Tavares; Xhaka, Elneny; Saka, Odegaard, Smith Rowe; Nketiah