England international Jack Wilshere, set to have an operation on his troublesome ankle next week, is on stand-by should he deemed fit enough to start and play on painkillers.
Striker Olivier Giroud returned from a three-match suspension.
Midfielder Abou Diaby (knee) is a long-term absentee.
Central defender Steven Taylor will return to the Newcastle squad.
Taylor missed the 2-1 victory at relegated QPR last weekend, which secured the Magpies' Barclays Premier League status, through illness, but has returned to training and is available.
Midfielder Sylvain Marveaux is fully fit after a groin injury, but keeper Rob Elliot is suspended following his dismissal at Loftus Road and 38-year-old Steve Harper will make what is likely to be his final appearance for the club after 20 years on Tyneside with Tim Krul nursing a dislocated shoulder.
Newcastle (from): Harper, Alnwick, Debuchy, Simpson, Santon, S. Taylor, Coloccini, Williamson, Yanga-Mbiwa, Perch, Tiote, Bigirimana, Cabaye, Anita, Gutierrez, Ben Arfa, Marveaux, Gosling, Obertan, Sammy Ameobi, Cisse, Gouffran, Campbell.
Arsenal (from): Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Cazorla, Walcott, Ramsey, Rosicky, Arteta, Giroud, Fabianski, Podolski, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Wilshere, Vermaelen, Coquelin, Gervinho, Jenkinson, Gibbs.