ARSENAL are set to be without two key defenders when they travel to St James’ Park to take on Newcastle on Saturday.

Having missed Monday’s goalless draw with Liverpool, Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker are both losing their battles to recover in time for the trip to the North-East.

Koscielny is nursing a back injury, and is thought to have very little chance of being available for the weekend.

Mertesacker is unable to train because of a heavy illness, and while Arsene Wenger will give him every chance of making the team to face the Magpies, the German is currently some way short of being fit.

The duo’s absence would be a major boost for Newcastle as their replacements, Gabriel and Calum Chambers, produced shaky performances as Arsenal were fortunate to escape with a draw on Monday.

Liverpool’s attackers carved them open repeatedly, with Philippe Coutinho twice hitting the woodwork, and with Aleksandar Mitrovic expected to retain his place in Newcastle’s starting line-up on Saturday, Steve McClaren will be confident of exploiting any ongoing uncertainty at the heart of the Gunners’ back four.

* Newcastle's Capital One Cup third-round game with Sheffield Wednesday will take place on Wednesday, September 23 (7.45pm).