Arsenal are looking to build on the brilliant performance against Milan and cement the fourth place in the standings, whereas Newcastle need a victory if they are to keep their Champions League hopes alive.

This Arsenal side have been slammed many times for the lack of experience and character, but while nobody can doubt that Arsene Wenger could use more seasoned players, the character doesn’t seem to be a problem at the moment.

The Gunners’ season looked to be going down the drain following the disappointing defeats to Milan and Sunderland, but the team rose from the ashes and played three amazing games to return to the right track.

Arsenal obviously need to be congratulated for derby wins over Tottenham and Liverpool, but it was the 3-0 victory over Milan in the return leg that showed this team are not that far away from Europe’s top.

With a number of first team regulars missing out and young Oxlade-Chamberlain playing as central midfielder, the Gunners came really close to overturning the four-goal deficit and they can now certainly build on that performance.

Taking into account their latest performances, Arsenal look a good bet at 1.50 (1/2) offered by William Hill.

Mikel Arteta, Aaron Ramsey and Yossi Benayoun are all expected to return, whereas Andre Santos has resumed full training after recovering from injury.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Szczesny – Sagna, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Gibbs – Arteta, Song – Walcott, Rosicky, Gervinho – Van Persie.

Newcastle have done brilliantly to stay in the top 4 race in such a strong competition, but it appears that the Magpies don’t have enough energy for the final push.

Their impressive run of results came to an abrupt end as Alan Pardew’s side recorded a 5-0 defeat at White Hart Lane and it looks as though the team are still feeling the effects of the embarrassing loss.

After squandering a two-goal lead against Wolverhampton, Newcastle were on the verge of losing the Tyne-Wear derby to Sunderland, but Shola Ameobi came to the rescue, scoring the equalizer deep into injury time.

It is now more than obvious that team’s form is on the downtrend, so I seriously doubt Newcastle can stop high-flying Arsenal from claiming maximum points.

Apart from Peter Lovenkrands, who looks set to miss the rest of the season, Alan Pardew has no other injury worries.

Probable starting line-up (4-4-2): Krul – Simpson, Coloccini, Williamson, Santon – Gutierrez, Cabaye, Tiote, R. Taylor – Ba, Cisse.