Image source, Getty Images

Newcastle have barely had a kick yet.

Neither of Declan Rice's corners go down Loris Karius's throat and he is happy to stay on his line as his defenders do their job.

Newcastle are even happier to see Bukayo Saka's follow-up go straight into Row H.

Arsenal straight on the front foot and win a couple of early corners.

How are your nerves, Loris Karius?

The usual rendition of North London Forever gets the goosebumps going and then it is down to business.

Declan Rice gets the ball rolling.

Arsenal: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior, Odegaard, Rice, Jorginho, Saka, Havertz, Martinelli. Subs: Ramsdale, Gabriel Jesus, Smith Rowe, Nketiah, Cedric, Trossard, Vieira,Nelson, Elneny.

Newcastle: Karius, Trippier, Schar, Botman, Livramento, Longstaff, Bruno Guimaraes, Miley, Almiron, Isak, Gordon. Subs: Lascelles, Ritchie, Barnes, Krafth, Hall, Jacob Murphy, Willock,Gillespie, Burn.

Referee: Paul Tierney (Lancashire)

Image source, PA Media

Here we go then! The players emerge into a cacophony of passionate noise, time to dial in and put all that training-ground planning into practice.

Here is a reminder of the two teams...

The indie disco has been dialled down and we've had a gear shift as an LED show takes over.

It's like being at Cirque de Soleil. Not that I'm describing any of these fine footballers as a clown.

Speaking of whom, the 22 men starting this Premier League game are lined up in the tunnel and moments later get the nod...

Chris Sutton
Former Blackburn striker on Football Focus

Image source, Getty Images

There is a bit of needle between these two teams and they don’t like each other.

The thought is Newcastle will go to the Emirates and be disruptive like Porto were in midweek, I saw Arsenal last Saturday against Burnley and blimey they were impressive - I fancy Arsenal at home.

London Calling is blasting out of the Emirates PA system. Joe Strummer would approve.

Not sure what the legendary punk rocker would reckon to the flags being dished out and waved to 'create an atmosphere', mind.

Newcastle United

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe speaking to TNT Sports: "It is difficult to know where we are at because we have been inconsistent with our performances. The most important quality we have possessed at the start of the year has been the spirit and determination to do well so as long as that is there today we will do well.

On Martin Dubravka's absence: "He has not been feeling very well for a couple of days so hopefully he is on the mend."

On Loris Karius: "He has trained every day for a long period of time. He had a slight shoulder injury at the start of the season but since then he has been fine. He has played in games behind closed doors so he is match ready.

"The last game he played of course was the cup final so he is used to big games and at Liverpool he had many big matches so I have no doubt about his temperament and we are relying on his big-game experience.

Howe also describes Alexander Isak's return is an "absolutely massive lift for us."

Image source, Getty Images

If you're just joining us, the big piece of team news is a rare start for Newcastle keeper Loris Karius. Many football fans might have forgotten he is still at the Magpies.

The German slipped quietly away from English football after his errors during Liverpool's loss to Real Madrid in the 2018 Champions League final.

Loans spells at Besiktas and Union Berlin followed as he looked to rebuild his career, before a surprise move to Newcastle in September 2022.

He has largely been third choice under Eddie Howe, but was called into action for last year's EFL Cup final against Manchester United because Nick Pope was suspended and Martin Dubravka was cup-tied.

Now, with Pope injured and Dubravka ill, Karius will make his league debut for the Magpies.

Arsenal

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, speaking to TNT Sports: "We are going to have big support [at the Emirates] and big energy, we are excited to play in the game and we have had a good run in the Premier League and we want to continue that.

"We have players on the bench which can impact the game and we have Gabi [Gabriel Jesus] back as well.

"It always is a good atmosphere in the Premier League, two very competitive teams and it will be an intense match."

On Gabriel Jesus's game time: "Whatever is needed and we will see with the result and the context of the game - we will see how we can use him."

With little over 10 minutes until kick-off, let's hear the pre-match thoughts of both managers...

Image source, BBC Sport

BBC pundit Chris Sutton, who is making predictions for all 380 Premier League matches this season, takes on former England striker Jermain Defoe this week.

"There was plenty of controversy when these two sides met at St James' Park in November, including fury towards the VAR from Arsenal over Newcastle's winner," says Sutton.

"That might mean there is an edge to this game, from the start.

"Arsenal were disappointing in their defeat by Porto on Wednesday, which surprised me a little, but Porto really disrupted them.

"Newcastle may well try to do the same thing but I am expecting the Gunners to bounce back. They were excellent when I watched them beat Burnley last week and the Magpies concede too many goals, including eight in their past three games, so I think Arsenal will find a way through."

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

Jermain's prediction: 2-1

Think we'd settle for half of the drama we saw on Mischievous Night up on Tyneside, wouldn't we?

Wait, is Mischievous Night just a Yorkshire thing?

Anyway, talking of mischief... here is Chris Sutton - who always has a glint in his eye when he's winding up the guests on Monday Night Club - on tonight's game.

Describing the last meeting between the two teams as 'feisty' would barely cover it.

The bottom line is Newcastle won 1-0 and ended Arsenal's unbeaten start to the season.

But there was so much more on a memorable November evening, which did nothing to quell the bit of needle which seems to have developed between the two clubs.

Anthony Gordon's winner needed three VAR checks - to see if the ball went out of play, if there was a foul and if there was an offside - and they all came back in Newcastle's favour after a long delay.

That led to a fuming response from Gunners boss Mikel Arteta, who called the decision "embarrassing" and a "disgrace".

It also came on the same day that Wolves boss Gary O'Neil criticised VAR after Sheffield United were given a last-minute penalty which they scored to beat his team 2-1.

Image source, Getty Images

Has everyone already circled 31 March in their diary? Arsenal's trip to the Etihad.

Liverpool host Brighton on the same day. A proper Super Sunday.

Make sure you've not accepted an invitation to the in-laws for a roast dinner.