John Carver
John Carver is facing a major injury crisis ahead of Newcastle United's game against Arsenal on Saturday Getty

Newcastle United host Arsenal in the 2014/15 Premier League at St James' Park on Saturday.

Where to watch live

Kick-off is 3pm GMT. Live TV coverage is on Setanta Sports 1, and live radio coverage on BBC Radio 5Live. Catch the highlights of the game on Match of the Day at 10.30pm GMT on BBC1.

Overview

A depleted Newcastle United side welcome Arsenal to St James' Park on Saturday. With the season entering its final stretch every match and point is becoming crucial at this stage.

John Carver is in a dilemma, which sees him, unable to pick a full squad for the game against the Gunners, the Magpies have several first-team players either injured or suspended and according to the manager they have only 13 fit first-team players to call upon.

The Tyneside club will have players playing in unfamiliar roles, Daryl Janmaat; primarily a right-back will fill in at centre-back, while Jack Colback will play in the left full-back position. This has left the manager hoping that the players can stick together and get a morale boosting result against the north London club.

Arsenal
Wenger and his team will be keen to put to bed the bad memories of their Champions League exit at the hands of AS Monaco when they take on Newcastle United  Getty

Meanwhile, Arsenal come into this game on the back of a disappointing exit from the Champions League at the hands of Ligue 1 club AS Monaco, but have been in good form in the Premier League winning their last five games.

It is a crucial game for the Gunners as they have a chance to make ground over rivals Manchester United and Liverpool as the two clubs face each other on Sunday.

Arsene Wenger has warned his team about a difficult atmosphere that awaits them at St James' Park and has urged them to respond strongly following the midweek disappointment.

The Frenchman has a few injury concerns of his own, but should have the services of Tomas Rosciky, who has recovered from illness.

Stats of the match: Olivier Giroud has netted six goals in five Premier League appearances against the Magpies.

What managers say

John Carver (Newcastle United): "We are a small group and it's a difficult time but the only way you get through it is by sticking together and smiling."

Arsene Wenger (Arsenal): "West Ham was a very physical game and we paid for it in the second half of the Monaco game – it is a concern. We have good memories at Newcastle but they are always very tight and difficult games, the crowd are always motivated."

Betting odds (888Sport.com)

  • Newcastle United to win: 94/19
  • Arsenal to win: 4/7
  • Draw: 13/4

Team news

Newcastle United

  • Injured: Steven Taylor, Paul Dummett, Siem de Jong, Rolando Aarons, Rob Elliot, Cheick Tiote, Mehdi Abeid, Massadio Haidara
  • Suspended: Coloccini, Cisse
  • Doubtful: N/A

Probable Line-up: Krul; Taylor, Janmaat, Williamson, Colback; Gutierrez, Sissoko; Ameobi, Cabella, Perez; Riviere.

Arsenal

  • Injured: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Mikel Arteta, Mathieu Debuchy
  • Suspended: N/A
  • Doubtful: Rosciky

Probable Line-up: Ospina; Chambers, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs; Coquelin, Ramsey; Ozil, Sanchez, Walcott; Giroud.

Arsenal FC Newcastle united Arsene Wenger