Arsenal can maintain their strong position at the top of the Premier League standings when they welcome third-placed Newcastle United to the Emirates Stadium this evening.

The Gunners hold a seven-point cushion heading into kickoff and could separate themselves from the chasing pack even more with a victory but it'll be no easy task as the northeast giants are unbeaten in 12 and have currently conceded the fewest goals in the top-flight.

Mikel Arteta's side made it five wins from five by defeating Brighton and Hove Albion 4-2 on New Year's Eve, whilst Eddie Howe's men drew 0-0 to Leeds United.

It'll be interesting to see whether the Spanish head coach will tinker his lineup or run an unchanged side, so here's what we are predicting before tonight's tricky encounter...

There could be just two changes to the side that beat the Seagulls on the south coast only three days ago.

In goal, England international Aaron Ramsdale is set to continue as the no.1, though the back four in front of him could look very different.

There is a chance that Kieran Tierney returns to the starting XI as Oleksandr Zinchenko has only just shaken off an injury. It would be only the third time that the Ukraine star has started two or more successive matches in the Premier League since his arrival from Manchester City in the summer.

The £110k-per-week Scot was once dubbed a "natural leader" and tipped to become the Gunners' next captain one day by Arteta, so he should be trusted in a fixture of this magnitude.

Meanwhile, there were signs of defensive fraility with Brighton scoring twice on Saturday. William Saliba - who cost £27m in 2019 - was at fault for one of the goals, having also conceded a penalty against West Ham United on Boxing Day.

The Frenchman barely featured at the World Cup for France and has looked out of sorts since returning, leading to journalist Charles Watts describing him as "definitely rusty," so he could make way for Takehiro Tomiyasu, which would see Ben White return to the middle to partner Gabriel.

In midfield, Thomas Partey, Granit Xhaka and Martin Odegaard are likely to remain, with support from Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli out wide.

Whilst Gabriel Jesus remains absent with a long-term knee issue, academy graduate Eddie Nketiah, 24, is set to lead the line once again in his absence and he'll be looking to continue his goalscoring form after finding the net at the Amex Stadium.

AND in other news, Arsenal must now swoop for “magic” £86m star who is “miles ahead”...