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Team news: Wilson starts against Gunners
Written by Dan King
Leading scorer Callum Wilson makes his first start since early February as Newcastle United entertain Arsenal this afternoon (kick-off 2pm BST).
The England international comes in for Joelinton in the only change to the starting XI which drew 1-1 at Liverpool last weekend. Wilson suffered a hamstring injury against Southampton almost three months ago and has made three substitute appearances since returning to action.
Joelinton drops to the bench, where he is joined by Fabian Schär - who was also injured in that Southampton game but played 45 minutes for United's under-23s against Crystal Palace last week. With Joe Willock, who has scored three goals in his last three appearances, ineligible to face his parent club, Matty Longstaff and Elliot Anderson are also named among the substitutes.
Martin Dúbravka continues in goal, having only been on the losing side once since returning to the team at the end of February, while the defence is made up of Federico Fernández, Ciaran Clark and Paul Dummett, with Jacob Murphy and Matt Ritchie - who has shrugged off a knock - occupying wing-back roles.
Stand-in skipper Jonjo Shelvey is again partnered in central midfield by Sean Longstaff while Wilson will have support from Allan Saint-Maximin and Miguel Almirón in attack.
With Karl Darlow injured, Mark Gillespie is the back-up goalkeeper while Emil Krafth, Jamal Lewis, Jeff Hendrick and Dwight Gayle are the other substitutes along with the aforementioned Joelinton, Schär, Matty Longstaff and Anderson.
Newcastle United: Martin Dúbravka; Jacob Murphy, Federico Fernández, Ciaran Clark, Paul Dummett, Matt Ritchie; Jonjo Shelvey, Sean Longstaff; Miguel Almirón, Callum Wilson, Allan Saint-Maximin.
Substitutes: Mark Gillespie, Emil Krafth, Fabian Schär, Jamal Lewis, Matty Longstaff, Jeff Hendrick, Elliot Anderson, Joelinton, Dwight Gayle.