Alan Shearer
Former England striker

Image source, Getty Images

"Arsenal are in a strong position in the Premier League and also through to the last 16 of the Champions League again. But they always seem to get injuries - already this season is no exception - so they need to strengthen their squad for the second half of the season.

"Another centre-forward, a defensive midfielder and a centre-half should all be on Arsene Wenger's list but the difficult thing for Wenger is to find a way of doing that in the middle of the season to improve his team."

Match of the Day pundits have their say on what each Premier League club needs to do in the January transfer window.

Arsenal have another corner. It comes from the Gunners right again. Newcastle clear, but it wasn't pretty.

Hector Bellerin and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain causing a lot of mischief down that flank.

Image source, Reuters

Fancy a cricket score here today?

Hector Bellerin surges again down the right and finds Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who stretches in making contact with the ball and only manages to fire wide.

Newcastle coach Steve McClaren is probably looking at his watch.. counting down the minutes.

The Gunners have an early corner after Fabricio Coloccini has to clear a dangerous ball from the right. The set piece comes to nothing. The Magpies are under pressure straight away.

We are under way.

Image source, Reuters

There is a minute's applause for the former Newcastle keeper. All fans are on their feet. A great sight.

Image source, Getty Images

The Newcastle team come out on to the Emirates pitch wearing training tops with 'Pavel is a Geordie' and featuring a picture of former keeper Pavel Srnicek, who died last week at the age of 47.

A lovely tribute.

Simon Brotherton
BBC MOTD commentator

"Arsenal have their noses in front going into the new year in this most unpredictable of seasons and have their best chance of winning the title in years.

"However, they'll need to avoid too many more slip-ups like the one at Southampton on Boxing Day, and won't necessarily find this a straightforward encounter.

"Newcastle have shown they are capable of raising their game against some of the better sides despite their own lowly league position.

"I was at White Hart Lane shortly before Christmas to see them take all three points off Tottenham and they've also beaten Liverpool inside the last month."

Image source, Reuters

For the travelling fans and other Newcastle supporters it has been an emotional week following the death of former Magpies goalkeeperPavel Srnicek, at the age of 47.

The former Czech international was one of 'The Entertainers' in former manager Kevin Keegan's side that came narrowly close to winning the Premier League title in 1996.

His effervescent manner endeared him to the Newcastle faithful, and others in football.

The fans at the Emirates will no doubt pay tribute to the adopted Geordie.

Arsenal keeper Petr Cech has just been awarded a framed photo of himself for breaking the Premier League clean sheets record the other day - 170 - against Bournemouth.

I wonder where he'll hang that?

Image source, PA

Image source, PA

So what is the secret to Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil's success this season?

The Germany World Cup winner has produced 16 assists in 18 matches for the Gunners to help them to the top of the table.

Manager Arsene Wenger says keeping the 27 year old fresh is key.

"Mesut, I gave him a one-week holiday during the international break," he said.

"At the moment he doesn't practice a lot, we rest him a lot between the games.

"He is a guy who, once the basic fitness is there between the games, he wants to play. There are types of players, sometimes the most technical players, it looks like it demands less energy for them to play - it is just natural for them."

Image source, .

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Arsenal centre-back Laurent Koscielny returns to the starting XI as does midfielder Mathieu Flamini, who has recovered from a minor ankle injury. Nacho Monreal is in the side for full-back Kieran Gibbs.  

Image source, Opta

Newcastle goalkeeper Rob Elliot is back between the sticks after recovering from an illness, while Cheick Tiote replaces the injured Vurnon Anita in midfield.  

Image source, Opta

This may or may not ruin your fantasy teams...

Image source, Reuters

New year, new Arsenal? 

Is this the year the Gunners will win their first league title since 178... since 2004?

They could potentially have a six-point lead by the end of play today. So many near-misses in recent years, so dare to dream Gunners fans? No? Understandable.

As for their opponents, it seems like one step forward and two steps back.

Newcastle have lost their last two league games and sit two points adrift of safety in 18th.

And for those who think a shock might be on the cards... Arsenal have won the last eight meetings between the sides.

Stay here for all the action from the Emirates and you can keep up to date with all the build-up to today’s games here.