Arsenal have been boosted by the return to fitness of Gabriel as the defender starts against Newcastle today.

The Brazilian defender injured his knee during last week’s draw with Liverpool and missed Wednesday’s win at Preston in the Carabao Cup.

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“We have a training session today,” Arteta said on Friday. “If he’s able to complete that he will be available. He hasn’t had any training sessions yet but if he can do that today he will be available in the squad.”

Ben White was a doubt for the game at St James’ Park with a joint issue, but is named on the bench. He played the full 90 minutes against Liverpool, but was absent from the squad for the win at Preston three days later.

“With Ben, we don’t know yet,” Arteta said. “He hasn’t trained yet. He could not train, he could not get involved so let’s see what happens.”

Martin Odegaard (ankle) and Riccardo Calafiori (knee) will both miss the trip to Newcastle, as will Kieran Tierney (hamstring) and Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee).

“Ricci and Martin are out definitely,” said Arteta. “Now is the stage he (Odegaard) is going to start doing certain work with us and just see how he deals with pain, if he is moving naturally enough and if he is physically at the level required to compete.

“But with the work rate and the hours he has put in I would be surprised if the moment he starts training with us we don’t say he is ready, so hopefully soon.”

Arteta made eight changes for the win at Preston and on Tyneside reverts back to a team similar to the one that drew with Liverpool.

Thomas Partey plays at right-back again, William Saliba returns to the defence after serving his suspension last week. He started and played 90 minutes in the win at Preston.

Confirmed team news

Newcastle United XI: Pope, Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall, Guimaraes, Willock, Longstaff, Gordon, Isak, Joelinton

Subs: Dubravka, Krafth, Kelly, Murphy, Tonali, Almiron, Miley, Barnes, Osula

Arsenal XI: Raya; Partey, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Rice, Merino, Trossard; Saka, Martinelli, Havertz

Subs: Neto, White, Zinchenko, Lewis-Skelly, Kiwior, Jorginho, Nwaneri, Sterling, Jesus

Time and date: 12.30pm today, Saturday, November 2, 2024

Venue: St. James’ Park

TV channel: TNT Sports

Referee: John Brooks