football.london reporters select their Arsenal starting XIs for Saturday's game against Newcastle
17:30, 24 Apr 2026
Bukayo Saka, Ebere Eze and Gabriel Magalhaes
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Bukayo Saka, Ebere Eze and Gabriel Magalhaes are all pushing to start for Arsenal vs Newcastle
Arsenal are looking to get back to winning ways this weekend when they lock horns with Newcastle at the Emirates Stadium.
The game is an opportunity for the Gunners to regain control of the Premier League title race given Manchester City are in FA Cup action.
There are plenty of tough calls for Mikel Arteta to make as he confirmed in Friday's press conference that Bukayo Saka and Riccardo Calafiori are both in line to return to the matchday squad.
football.london reporters Tom Canton and Ryan Taylor have had their stab at selecting their teams to face the Magpies.
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Tom Canton
All out attack… nearly! There is measured chaos in what I want to see from Arsenal with Riccardo Calafiori returning to the left-hand side to progress play, while Cristhian Mosquera remaining at right back gives balance to the defence and stays wary of the Magpies’ threat.
But the big call is starting Max Dowman. I have been rather unimpressed with Noni Madueke, and I do not want to risk Bukayo Saka and need him back and ready for bigger games, perhaps against Atletico Madrid.
The trio of Kai Havertz, Eberechi Eze and Martin Odegaard, however, is a non-negotiable and needs to be maintained throughout the rest of the season, barring any fitness concerns of course.
Canton’s Arsenal XI vs Newcastle: Raya; Mosquera, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Zubimendi; Rice, Odegaard; Dowman, Havertz, Eze
Bukayo Saka
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Bukayo Saka looks set to return to the Arsenal squad vs Newcastle
Ryan Taylor
I'd recall Riccardo Calafiori to the starting XI if he's ready as I think Piero Hincapie will be needed in Madrid next Wednesday against Atletico.
I'd also bring Ben White back in just for this game with a view to starting Cristhian Mosquera against Atletico in Spain providing Jurrien Timber isn't fit.
There's no Anthony Gordon for Newcastle and I'd back White to contain Harvey Barnes, even though he's not been in his best form in recent weeks.
In midfield, I'd keep the same trio that started at Manchester City, keep Ebere Eze on the left flank and then potentially move him inside when Gabriel Martinelli or Leandro Trossard are brought off the bench.
If Bukayo Saka is ready, I'd start him because I'm not sure Atletico is the right game for him next week when Diego Simeone's side will be keen to kick lumps out of Arsenal.
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Kai Havertz gets the nod in attack over Viktor Gyokeres as he was dangerous at the Etihad Stadium despite missing two second-half chances.
Taylor's Arsenal XI vs Newcastle: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Zubimendi; Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Havertz, Eze
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