Newcastle head to the Emirates Stadium looking to open up an eight point gap over Liverpool in the race for a top six finish.
The Champions League is beginning to look a little beyond the Magpies' reach, however a European finish is still well within their grasp and any kind of result against Arsene Wenger's resurgent Arsenal would go a long way to cementing Newcastle's place in the Premier League's top six. A 6th placed finish should be enough to bring European football back to St James' Park.
Arsenal are in fine form going into the contest, Wenger's men have beaten both Tottenham and Liverpool in recent weeks, and came close to coming back from a four goal aggregate deficit as they thumped AC Milan 3-0 in the Champions League.
Newcastle on the other hand approach the game on the back of two consecutive home draws. The Magpies surrendered a two goal lead to allow Wolverhampton Wanderers to leave with a point, before Shola Ameobi rescued one for the Geordies in a thrilling Tyne-Wear derby against Sunderland.
Andre Santos is expected to return to the Arsenal squad after fully recovering from a broken ankle, while Aaron Ramsey, who has also been struggling with an ankle problem, should play a part. Yossi Benayoun is a doubt with a virus, but it is expected to be a strong Gunners side that will take the field on Monday night. Though Jack Wilshere is still a long term absentee in the Arsenal midfield.
There are no fresh injury concerns for Newcastle, although Danish striker Peter Lovenkrands is set to miss the rest of the season after suffering a thigh injury in the game against Sunderland. Therefore Alan Pardew will have a close to full strength side to choose from, as he looks to try and stop the explosive trio of Robin Van Persie; Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Pardew was criticised for being too attacking in his philosophy the last time Newcastle competed in North London, when they were hammered 5-0 by Tottenham at White Hart Lane. The Magpies were without both Yohan Cabaye and Cheick Tiote that day, James Perch and Danny Guthrie were deployed in midfield their stead, and Newcastle were consequently overrun in the middle of the park.
The presence of Tiote and Cabaye should allow Newcastle to attack with more vigour, both were excellent in the Tyne-Wear derby last Sunday, with Cabaye providing the cross that resulted in Ameobi's injury time equaliser.
Pardew has mooted the idea of starting Hatem Ben Arfa at the Emirates, Papiss Cisse is the expected casualty if the former Lyon and Marseille man does start.
Newcastle do not have a great record in the Capital, and they have collected just one point from their journeys to London this season. They did however, take all three points from the Emirates last term, when an Andy Carroll header was enough to give a Newcastle side, then managed by Chris Hughton, the win.
Victory is by no means essential for Newcastle on Monday night, but another Emirates triumph would move them just two points shy of Arsenal and Chelsea and put them back in contention for the fourth and final Champions League place.
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