Confirmed NUFC team vs Arsenal - Joelinton dropped, Ritchie passed fit & Wilson returns

The teams have been released ahead of today's 2pm kick off with Arsenal and Steve Bruce has made just ONE change to the Newcastle that earned a 1-1 draw at Anfield last weekend.

Callum Wilson returns to the starting line up for the first time since February, with our top scorer coming in for Joelinton in attack.

Elsewhere, Matt Ritchie has recovered from a calf injury to retain his place at left-wing back, however there's no place for Joe Willock - who is ineligible against his parent club.

Here's the NUFC XI and subs bench in full:

(5-3-2): Dubravka – Murphy, Fernandez, Clark, Dummett, Ritchie – S Longstaff, Shelvey (c), Almiron – Saint-Maximin, Wilson.

SUBS: Gillespie, Krafth, Schär, Lewis, M.Longstaff, Hendrick, Anderson, Joelinton, Gayle.

As for Arsenal, Arteta has made several changes ahead of next week's Europa League semi-final second leg against Villarreal:

(4-2-3-1): Ryan - Bellerin, Gabriel, Luiz, Xhaka - Elneny, Ceballos - Willian, Odegaard, Martinelli - Aubameyang.

SUBS: Leno, Saka, Cedric, Partey, Pepe, Chambers, Mari, Nketiah, Smith Rowe.

A big chance to extend our lead over the bottom three and all but secure our Premier League status!

HWTL.

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