How Arsenal could line-up against Newcastle as Mikel Arteta gives William Saliba and Gabriel injury update

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta could once again reshuffle his back line for Sunday’s crunch clash against Newcastle at St James’ Park.

The Gunners know anything but victory would all-but end their quest to win a first Premier League title since 2004

And the north Londoners will have revenge on their minds after a 2-0 defeat at Newcastle last season cost them a spot in the Champions League

But they may have to face the Magpies without both of their first choice centre-backsMikel Arteta revealed in his pre-match press conference that William Saliba remains unavailable after he picked up a back injury against Sporting Lisbon in March.

And he stated that Brazilian defender Gabriel is a doubt to feature after he went down four times during Tuesday night’s 3-1 win over Chelsea, before eventually being substitute

Giving an update on Saliba, Arteta said: “Not a lot of progress

“He’s feeling better every day but he’s not been able still to have any activity around the first team so we don’t expect him to be with us.”

Asked whether he may be out for the season, the Spaniard stated: “We are not there yet today, because we’re always hopeful and players are pushing to play

“If that’s the case at some stage we’ll announce it. But hopefully that’s not the case.”

As for the fitness of Gabriel, Arteta remarked: “We will have to see tomorrow how he is.

“But yeah he could not finish the game so that was a big sign for us. We’ll have to see how he is tomorrow.”

With Gabriel to potentially miss his first Premier League game of the campaign, and with Saliba ruled out, talkSPORT.com takes a look at how the Gunners may line-up against Newcastle.

Aaron Ramsdale will keep his place between the sticks having established himself as the club’s first choice goalkeeper, while left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko will start ahead of Kieran Tierney.

With Saliba out, Poland international Jakub Kiwior could keep his place in the team after impressing in his first top-flight start midweek.

And should Gabriel fail a late fitness test, Arteta could make a bold call and leave Rob Holding on the bench, with the ex-Bolton star guilty of inconsistent displays this term.

Instead, Arteta could shift Ben White from right-back to the heart of the defence, with the former Brighton man signed in 2021 as a centre-half.

With right-back Takehiro Tomiyasu also out injured, defensive midfielder Thomas Partey could be deployed as a makeshift right-back.

Partey was utilised on occasions in that role by Diego Simeone during his time at Atletico Madrid, while he finished the 4-1 win against Crystal Palace in March in the full-back position.

If he is indeed named in the back four, Jorginho would start in the lone pivot role – just as he did against the Blues.

Roaming box-to-box midfielders Martin Odegaard and Granit Xhaka would then feature in a more advanced role.

Bukayo Saka would keep his spot on the right wing, with Gabriel Martinelli to replace Leandro Trossard on the opposite flank.

And Gabriel Jesus is likely to once again lead the line for Arsenal after he brought up his tenth goal of the season against Chelsea.