LORIS KARIUS is a surprise starter for Newcastle United as they take on Arsenal at the Emirates this evening.

Karius comes in for his first start of the season - and only the second appearance of his Magpies career - with Martin Dubravka not in the squad.

Eddie Howe has made three changes to the side that started last weekend's 2-2 draw with Bournemouth, with the under-fire Dan Burn also dropping out of the line-up.

Burn has been criticised for a number of his recent displays, and his place is taken by Tino Livramento, who is expected to line up at left-back with Kieran Trippier remaining on the right-hand side.

Newcastle's midfield three is unchanged, but Alexander Isak returns to lead the line in attack after recovering from his latest injury issue.

The Swede is back in the starting side for the first time since the 3-1 win at Aston Villa at the end of last month, with Harvey Barnes dropping down to the substitutes' bench.

There is also a place on the bench for Joe Willock, who has been sidelined through injury since mid-November.

Arsenal continue with Jakub Kiwior at left-back, but Jorginho returns to the Gunners' staring line-up with Leandro Trossard dropping to the bench.


ARSENAL (4-3-3): Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior; Odegaard, Rice, Jorginho; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli.

Subs: Ramsdale, Soares, Elneny, Smith Rowe, Vieira, Nketiah, Trossard, Jesus, Nelson.


NEWCASTLE (4-3-3): Karius; Trippier, Schar, Botman, Livramento; Guimaraes, Miley, Longstaff; Almiron, Isak, Gordon.

Subs: Gillespie, Lascelles, Ritchie, Barnes, Krafth, Hall, J Murphy, Willock, Burn.