Arsenal look to tighten grip on 4th Position

                              

                             

Arsenal captain Thomas Vermaelen is set to return from a hamstring problem.
Abou Diaby has recovered from his serious knee injury but has picked up a minor groin problem so will miss Monday's game.
Newcastle midfielder Moussa Sissoko, who has missed three games with a hamstring problem, should feature.
Strikers Papiss Cisse (knee) and Luuk de Jong (ankle) have been ruled out and Hatem Ben Arfa has also confirmed he will not be involved.

MATCH PREVIEW
The two longest-serving managers in the Premier League go head to head. Both Arsene Wenger and Alan Pardew have encountered intense scrutiny this season and both remain under the spotlight.
Wenger can still deliver the FA Cup and possibly Champions League football for Arsenal but Pardew, who was set a target by owner Mike Ashley of finishing in the top 10, could yet see his side overtaken by both Stoke City and Crystal Palace.

I do find it ironic that Pardew is facing uncomfortable times because in football terms, to his credit, this campaign has been a comfortable one despite selling star player Yohan Cabaye in January.
At no stage has there been any threat after last season's serious flirtation with relegation, when they finished only five points clear of the bottom three in 16th position.
Two years ago, Newcastle were challenging for a Champions League place alongside Arsenal, who under Wenger have never finished outside the top four.
Last season, the Gunners won their final three matches to seal fourth, and a repeat of a similar strong finish will see them maintain their consistent run.
The match also marks a return to the sidelines for Pardew after a seven-match ban. Newcastle have lost on six of those seven occasions so he will hope his presence brings a change of fortune.
Their current form must be a real concern. For the first time since 1986-87, Newcastle have suffered five straight defeats in the top flight.
Their record at Arsenal is not great - that coupled with the fact that the Gunners have not lost at home in the league since the opening day of the season hardly offers the visitors a great deal of encouragement.
MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head
In the corresponding fixture last season, Arsenal won 7-3.
Arsenal have won their last four league matches against Newcastle and are unbeaten in six against the Magpies.
Arsenal
Arsenal are unbeaten in their last 16 home league matches. Their last home defeat was 3-1 to Aston Villa on the opening day of the season.
Their total of 70 points from 35 matches is their best total at this stage of the season since 2009/10 (71).
The Gunners have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last four home matches in the Premier League. The last time they went five home league matches without keeping a clean sheet was Sept-Nov 2008.
Arsenal have scored in all but two of their home league matches this season - the exceptions were 0-0 draws with Chelsea & Man Utd.
Arsenal cannot top the table again this season but will send the season having spent the most days at the summit (128).
Newcastle
Newcastle have lost their last five matches in the Premier League.
The Magpies have scored just one goal in their last five league matches, and conceded 14 in that time.
They have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last five PL matches
They have scored just 10 league goals in 2014, the fewest in the division.