Arsenal suffer major injury blow ahead of Newcastle clash

Arsenal have suffered a major injury blow ahead of the Premier League clash against Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium this weekend.

The Gunners shared the spoils against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday. They were trailing 2-0 after just 21 minutes, but made a terrific comeback to pick up a point from Merseyside.

Declan Rice did not make the matchday squad due to a hamstring injury and manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that he is a huge doubt to face Eddie Howe's side this weekend.

The setback is a huge blow for the Gunners, considering Jorginho is far from fit after his lung injury last month. Mikel Merino is suspended after his red card against the Reds yesterday.

This leaves Thomas Partey and Martin Odegaard as the only specialist midfield options and Arteta may have to pick Oleksandr Zinchenko to partner the pair against the Magpies.

Arsenal are presently second in the league table with 68 points on the board. The Gunners need a maximum of two points to secure Champions League football for next season.