Predicted Newcastle team vs Arsenal - Two dilemmas and Mag to pass late fitness test?

It's matchday on Tyneside and time to predict the side Eddie Howe will select to face Arsenal at St James' Park.

Here's the XI we believe could start today's 4.30pm kick-off against the Gunners:

(4-3-3): Pope – Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn – Longstaff, Bruno, Willock – Murphy, Isak, Joelinton.

The back five picks itself at the minute, but Howe will be faced with a few selection dilemmas should Sean Longstaff be passed fit.

If he’s ready to play - we think he will be - I’m confident he starts alongside Bruno G and Joe Willock in midfield, with Joelinton continuing down our left; where he can cause Ben White havoc and also help Dan Burn cope with Bukayo Saka.

It could then be between Isak or Wilson and Murphy or Miggy for the final two spots in attack. I see our unplayable Swede keeping his place along with much-improved Murphy; although we could see Isak on the left and Wilson up top should Longstaff miss out (which would surely result in Joelinton dropping back into midfield).

Gordon remains an option, but he’s still learning how to play in our system and doesn’t look quite up to speed physically, so I can’t see him starting this one.