It's the most wonderful time of the year.... The Arsenal is back! We can not remember a more eventful off-season in the last decade. Join the LA Gooners at Joxer Daly's and the OC Gooners at The Official Olde Ship Pub & Restaurant this Sunday the 11th at 6:00 am. COYG!

artwork by Jeremy Chasey

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HEAD-TO-HEAD

Last six meetings: Newcastle W1, Arsenal W5

All-time meetings: Newcastle W67, Arsenal W77, D38

THE TEAM NEWS

NEWCASTLE

Predicted line-up (5-4-1): Dubravka; Yedlin, Lascelles, Fernandez, Schar, Ritchie; Murphy, Ki, Longstaff, Almiron; Joelinton

Unavailable:

Doubtful: Colback (Injured), Lejeune (Injured), Gayle (Injured), Yedlin (Injured), Ritchie (Injured)

Newcastle come into the season without manager Rafa Benitez who left the club when his contract expired and decided to move to China.

After the solid job done by Benitez, Steve Bruce is the man selected to replace the Spaniard although the choice has been derided by fans.

Rondon and Ayoze Perez have both left the club so the big-money summer signing Joelinton will lead the attack with support from Almiron.

ARSENAL

Predicted line-up (4-3-3): Leno; Maitland-Niles, Sokratis, Mustafi, Kolasinac; Torreira, Xhaka, Guendouzi; Ozil, Lacazette, Aubameyang

Unavailable: Bellerin (Injured), Koscielny (Out of favour)

Doubtful: Holding (Injured), Mavropanos (Injured), Lacazette (Injured)

Arsenal and boss Unai Emery are under pressure already even before the season has started after a hugely disappointing campaign last season.

The club have made a couple of signings but club captain Laurent Koscielny rocked the club in the summer by demanding a transfer away.

With Ozil, Lacazette and Aubameyang, they have plenty of firepower once again but question marks remain over their defence.