Arsenal expect to have captain Cesc Fabregas available after a hamstring strain, while Jack Wilshere returns from suspension.
Midfielders Alex Song (calf), Denilson (groin) and Andrey Arshavin (virus) will all be assessed after missing the midweek defeat at Shakhtar Donetsk. Newcastle boss Chris Hughton has no fresh injury concerns.
Sol Campbell looks unlikely to face his former club as he struggles to overcome a thigh muscle strain.
Doubtful: Arshavin (virus), Denilson (groin), Fabregas (hamstring), Song (calf)
Injured: Almunia (elbow), Diaby & van Persie (both ankle), Frimpong & Gibbs (both knee), Ramsey (broken leg), Vermaelen (Achilles)
Newcastle
Injured: Ben Arfa (leg), Best (ankle), Campbell (thigh), Gosling (knee), Harper & Taylor (both shoulder)
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| Robin van Persie in full training again |
The Arsenal striker has featured in only three matches this season. He was a substitute in the first two as he worked his way back to full fitness after the World Cup. He started the third, at Blackburn on August 28, but injured his ankle and limped off after 34 minutes. He only returned to training on Friday.
The day before, Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk selected Van Persie in his provisional squad for their friendly against Turkey on November 17. Speaking at Friday’s press conference, the Arsenal manager was simply hoping that common sense would prevail.
“The situation is the same for everybody,” said Wenger. “At the moment Van Persie is coming back from injury and we are concerned to use him for our Club. You can understand that we are bit less concerned that he plays automatically a friendly game. You have common sense and can agree with that.
“My feeling is that Van Persie will be called up soon for the Arsenal provisional squad!
“Let’s say basically that Holland is not my problem at the moment, my problem is to play the game against Newcastle on Sunday.
“All the rest is down to the rules that are in place in the international game. What can I do about that? Not a lot.
“I am not a big influence on that and I believe the most important thing is that we prepare well for our game on Sunday, try to win the game and let everybody else talk.”
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