Ex-Chelsea striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink believes that Arsenal can secure the three points against Newcastle this weekend as long as manager Mikel Arteta can field a full-strength team.

The Gunners lost in controversial circumstances on their last visit to St James’ Park and, speaking to Lucky Block, Hasselbaink said that the away side need the win to maintain their title challenge:

“If Arsenal can get some of their key players back, then I think they can go there and win the game. We all know what happened up there last season.”

“I don’t think the two teams like each other very much – there’s going to be extra incentive from both clubs to win. I think for Arsenal, if they want to win the title, then this is the kind of test they need to pass.”

Arsenal will still have some key players missing

It does look like Gabriel will be available and, with William Saliba now back after suspension, it means that Arteta can field his first-choice centre-back pairing.

Captain Martin Odegaard is also closing in on a return to action with there being an outside chance that he’ll make the bench this weekend. However, the Norwegian is more likely to make his comeback against Inter Milan next week.

With the Gunners expected to be without Ben White, it means that Arteta won’t be able to field his best eleven versus the Magpies but it will still be a team capable of winning.

Newcastle will be a threat

Despite losing in their league match against Chelsea last weekend, Eddie Howe’s men responded by beating the same opponent in the Carabao Cup at home in midweek.

Nobody was anticipating this to be an easy game but that result does send out another warning that this will be a tough fixture to negotiate for Arsenal.

Find out who is in Arsenal’s first-team squad for the 2024/2025 season here