Good morning! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for the early match on what is a packed day of Premier League action. Newcastle United and Arsenal kick us off at St James' Park, with the hosts looking for their first win of the campaign and the Gunners needing to kickstart their own season. Let's start with a look at some team news...

NEWCASTLE STARTING XI: Krul; Janmaat, Mbemba, Coloccini, Haidara; Anita, Colback, Sissoko, Wijnaldum, Thauvin; Mitrovic

NEWCASTLE SUBS: Darlow, Taylor, Tiote, Obertan, De Jong, Perez, Cisse

ARSENAL STARTING XI: Cech; Bellerin, Koscielny, Gabriel, Monreal; Coquelin, Cazorla, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ramsey, Sanchez; Walcott

ARSENAL SUBS: Ospina, Debuchy, Gibbs, Chambers, Arteta, Campbell, Giroud

What can we make of those two teams, then? Well, the most notable inclusion from a Newcastle perspective is that of Florian Thauvin, who makes his first Premier League start having featured off the bench against Manchester United last weekend. The Frenchman starred in midweek as Newcastle beat Northampton the League Cup, scoring the opening goal and going on to set up three more in a 4-1 victory. He looked bright against United too, so it has certainly been an encouraging start to his Newcastle career.

He is joined in the trio behind the striker by Wijnaldum, who retains his place having also started his Newcastle career brightly, and Sissoko, who missed out against Manchester United with a groin injury. There was some doubt as to whether he would be fit enough to feature in this match, but his inclusion is a major boost for Steve McClaren. Ayoze Perez and Gabriel Obertan are the men to drop to the bench for Sissoko and Thauvin.

Mitrovic again gets the nod to lead the line ahead of Cisse, with the summer arrival having impressed on his full debut against Manchester United. There were questions over his temperament after he picked up bookings within minutes of his introduction off the bench in the first two games of the season, but he put in a disciplined and workmanlike display at Old Trafford, and came close to winning it for his side when his magnificent header came back off the crossbar.

At the back there is just the one change as Daryl Janmaat returns from suspension having been sent off in the first half of the match against Swansea in the second game of the season. As expected, he slots straight in at right-back, which means that Chancel Mbemba is able to move back into the middle of defence, demoting Taylor to the bench. Coloccini put in a man-of-the-match display at Old Trafford and may need a similarly influential performance if they are to keep Arsenal at bay this afternoon.

It will be Theo Walcott, rather than Olivier Giroud, who will lead the line against Coloccini and co, with the England international being preferred to the Frenchman for the first time in the league this season. Giroud got a fine goal against Crystal Palace a couple of games ago but was ineffective against Liverpool, and it isn't too big a surprise to see Walcott given the nod ahead of him. His pace should cause Newcastle problems, although Giroud may feel hard done by considering his magnificent record against the Magpies. He has scored eight goals in six games against today's opponents, which is more than he has managed against any other side.

Wenger also makes one change in midfield, although that is an enforced one as Mesut Ozil misses out with a minor knee injury. Oxlade-Chamberlain comes into the starting lineup as a result, featuring alongside Ramsey, who is expected to move into a central role behind Walcott, and the ever-dangerous Sanchez. The Chilean hasn't quite hit the heights of last season so far, but with his energy and work rate combined with that ability, he is always likely to be a threat.

Cazorla continues in his deep-lying playmaker role alongside Coquelin, who will be important this afternoon as Arsenal look to limit the powerful running of Sissoko and Wijnaldum, as well as the creativity of Thauvin. There is good news at the back for Arsenal as Koscielny returns from the injury that kept him out against Liverpool, with Chambers dropping to the bench as a result having endured a torrid first half at the Emirates last time out. Mertesacker is still out, however, which means Gabriel is given another start.

Behind them all is Petr Cech, who began to show exactly what he will give to Arsenal during that match on Monday. The former Chelsea stopper made two world-class saves to deny Coutinho and Benteke, and without him on such good form Arsenal would have almost certainly lost that game. His career with the Gunners didn't get off to the best start after those two mistakes against West Ham on the opening day, but that performance against Liverpool was stunning.

Newcastle will need to find a way past him if they are to win this afternoon, and Steve McClaren will be desperate to get that first victory under his belt. The former England boss has picked up two draws and a defeat in the Premier League so far and, while it has by no means been a terrible start to the season for the Magpies, the importance of sealing the first win should not be underestimated.

In fairness to Newcastle, it has been a very tough start to the campaign for them, and it isn't particularly surprising that they haven't been able to come away with three points from any of their matches. They began with a home match against Southampton and picked up a creditable 2-2 draw against a side that was so impressive last season. Then followed a game against Swansea, who have started the season very well, although McClaren will not have been happy with his side's performance in that one on their way to a 2-0 defeat.

Last weekend they made the trip to Old Trafford to face Manchester United - a team they have a truly woeful record against in recent years. For many, it was a home banker win and, in fairness, it probably should have been too. It was one-way traffic in the opening stages, but United just couldn't find a way through. Smalling hit the post last on, but that was as close as the hosts came and, in truth, Newcastle could have nicked it. Mitrovic hit the crossbar with a fine header, while late on Cisse failed to make the most of a three-on-one break.

McClaren will be keen to see his side start to take chances like that. A win in that United game would have been undeserved, but the fact that no team has scored fewer than Newcastle in the first three games of the season may be a concern. The Magpies did find their shooting boots in the League Cup in midweek, however, as they hit four past Northampton Town to ease into the third round, with Thauvin directly involved in all of his side's goals.

That match came at St James' Park, but the Magpies haven't had the best record here when it comes to the Premier League recently. Stretching back to last season, they have only won one of their last seven league matches in front of their own fans, while they have picked up just two victories here so far this calendar year. Home and away, it is just one win in their last 13 Premier League outings.

The clean sheet against Manchester United would have really pleased McClaren, though. Their defence was exposed too often, but the likes of Coloccini put in a magnificent performance to keep United at bay. They were also helped out by some poor finishing from their hosts, but take nothing away from the last-ditch backs-to-the-wall job they did. Should they also hold off the challenge of Arsenal's attackers today then they would have kept clean sheets in consecutive Premier League games for the first time since November 2014.

The biggest positive they could get from today, though, is that first league win. Failure to do so would see them go winless in the opening four matches of a Premier League season for the second year in a row, and that will be a worry considering how poorly last season went. They needed victory on the final day to guarantee their place in the division for another term, and that is something the fans will not want to go through again.

They probably go into this match as underdogs, however, given the strength of Arsenal's squad, despite the Gunners making a relatively inauspicious start to the season. There was so much optimism surrounding them going into the new season following a positive pre-season spell and the arrival of Petr Cech. Victory over Chelsea in the Community Shield only furthered the belief that they could mount a serious title challenge, but that soon came crashing down around them.

The defeat to West Ham on the opening day was perhaps a wake-up call the Gunners needed. They were outplayed in front of their own fans, and the two mistakes from Cech capped off a miserable day for Arsene Wenger's side. They bounced back with victory over Crystal Palace, however, with Giroud on the scoresheet along with an own goal from Delaney to give the Gunners their first win of the campaign.

They could only manage a draw with Liverpool on Monday night, although that was not the worst result considering how the match went. They could have been dead and buried by half time, but a mixture of the woodwork and Petr Cech kept the scores level. It was a terrible first-half display from the Gunners, with Chambers in particular having a shocker, but they did improve after the break and had chances of their own to win it.

That result means that Arsenal have only won one of their last six home games, while they have failed to even score in five of their last six in front of their own fans. In contrast, they have scored 11 times away from home in the same period, while only Chelsea amassed more points on the road in the league last season than the Gunners. Only the top two scored more away goals, and only Southampton conceded fewer as Arsenal won 10 of their 19 matches on their travels.

They are unbeaten away from home in the Premier League in seven matches, winning six of those to pick up 19 of the last 21 points available on the road. Their last defeat came at the hands of local rivals Tottenham Hotspur back on February 7, while they have not lost a game outside of London since New Year's Day, when they were beaten by Southampton at St Mary's.

Home and away, however, Arsenal have only won two of their last seven Premier League games and three of their last nine. That is simply not enough if they are to make a genuine push for the title, and you get the feeling that Arsenal just need a really positive performance and result to kickstart their season. Interestingly, they have failed to win at least two of their opening three Premier League games in four of the last five years, which is certainly not a solid base on which to build a title challenge.

Wenger is clearly concerned with his side's threat in the final third at the moment, hence the decision to play Walcott ahead of Giroud here. Arsenal actually have the worst conversion rate in the Premier League so far this season, finding the back of the net a joint-low two times despite having the league-high 40 shots - a conversion rate of just 5%.

PREDICTION: We're 10 minutes from kickoff at St James' Park, which means that it is time for a prediction! Arsenal have been fairly unpredictable so far this term, but they will fancy their chances here. Newcastle should have the attacking talent to trouble the Gunners, but the visitors are due a good performance and I think they will get it here. I'm going to go for a 2-1 away victory.

Find out what the Sports Mole sofa had to say about this match in our video preview below:

The recent history certainly points to an Arsenal victory this afternoon. Newcastle have not beaten the Gunners at St James' Park since December 2005, when Nolberto Solano got the only goal of the game. They have drawn four and lost four of their eight matches since, while home and away the Magpies have won just three of the last 28 league meetings - all of which came after Arsenal had a man sent off.

Arsenal are unbeaten in the last nine meetings between these two sides, with the most recent seven ending in victories for Arsene Wenger's side. During that time they have scored 20 goals and conceded just six, so if they are to break out of this scoring slump then they couldn't have wished for better opponents today.

Right, we're just a couple of minutes away from kickoff at St James' Park. Both sides really could do with a win this afternoon to get their season well and truly started - it should be an entertaining game! Arsenal did the double over them last season, winning 2-1 here and 4-1 at the Emirates.

KICKOFF: Newcastle get us underway in front of their own fans. Is this the day they get their first league win of the season?

Quick start to the match from both sides, with Newcastle applying some early pressure but almost getting hit on the break. Walcott plays in Oxlade-Chamberlain down the right, but his attempted one-two with Ramsey on the edge of the box is ruined by a poor return pass from the Welshman.

YELLOW CARD! Andre Marriner produces an early yellow card for Sissoko, who stamped on Monreal when going for the ball. It wasn't a malicious stamp, so there isn't really a question of it being a red, but it was quite a nasty one for Monreal.

Newcastle have started this one full of energy, particularly off the ball. They are looking to limit the time and space Arsenal have on the ball, with the likes of Colback and Sissoko hounding the visitors all the time.

It is Arsenal who are asking all of the questions in an attacking sense so far. The visitors are dominating possession, while Newcastle are struggling to keep hold of the ball when they do get it back.

Newcastle make a break forward down the left, with Thauvin capitalising on Bellerin being out of position. His cross is deflected into the arms of Cech, however, and Arsenal have the ball back.

CHANCE! The first chance of the match goes the way of Arsenal, and it is a really good one. The ball is lifted out to Bellerin, who cushions a fine volleyed pass into the area for Walcott to race on to. Krul is quickly off his line, however, and makes a crucial save with his feet.

Krul is called into action once again, although this one wouldn't have counted as the lineman's flag is up. It was good play from Cazorla, who slid a clever pass in to the Welshman, who just strayed a yard offside before lashing an effort straight at the keeper.

PENALTY SHOUT! Big penalty shout for Arsenal! Again it comes from the right flank, and it is fairly similar to the Walcott chance in that Oxlade-Chamberlain cushions a volleyed pass inside the full-back. Bellerin is racing onto the ball and his heels are clipped by Thauvin, sending both tumbling to the floor. Andre Marriner says no, but that should have definitely been a spot kick. Newcastle have got away with one there!

SHOT! At the other end of the field, Sissoko finds himself in a little bit of space down the right channel, but he drags his effort well wide of the far post.

It feels like a case of when rather than if a goal is coming for Arsenal at the moment. They look in complete control, with Newcastle unable to get a foothold in the match so far. Then again, I said the same last week and the Magpies went on to keep a clean sheet.

They'll do well to keep a clean sheet now! Newcastle are reduced to 10 men as Mitrovic, whose discipline was questioned on his first two sub appearances, is shown a straight red card for a challenge on Coquelin. The striker chested the ball down but, when trying to beat Coquelin to the ball, ended up stamping on the midfielder's shin. It is a nasty one and you can see why the referee produced the red card, but it didn't look to be a malicious stamp from the striker.

Is there any hope for Newcastle now? They could not match Arsenal with 11 vs. 11, and they will need another standout defensive performance if they are to avoid defeat here.

YELLOW CARD! The cards are flowing here! Mbema becomes the third Newcastle player to fall foul of the referee for a block on Sanchez, who had burst past the Arsenal man.

Colback goes in on Ramsey late and is fortunate not to join his teammates in the book. Instead, sensing the growing frustration in the home camp, Marriner calls Coloccini over and tells him to calm his side down. Sensible refereeing.

Arsenal have had 72% of the ball so far this afternoon, and that figure is only likely to grow now that they have a man advantage. It would be a major shock if they don't go on to win this game now.

The home fans are certainly feeling aggrieved by the treatment their side has received from the referee so far, but in truth they should be relieved that he didn't award what was a pretty clear penalty against them. The red was perhaps a little harsh but, as mentioned, you can see exactly why Andre Marriner gave it.

YELLOW CARD! Yet another card for Newcastle as Thauvin goes into the book for a sliding challenge on Coquelin. Once again, no complaints.

I praised the discipline and focus of Newcastle's players against Manchester United last week, but it has been shocking today. They have committed a number of untidy challenges already and, at this rate, another red seems inevitable.

A rare Newcastle break sees them work the ball from left to right, but for the second time in quick succession Janmaat's delivery is disappointing. It does need Bellerin to hook it away at the back post, but the resulting throw comes to nothing.

CHANCE! Huge chance for Arsenal to make the breakthrough! Sanchez lets fly from range, sending a bouncing low effort towards the bottom corner that Krul fails to hold. His parry takes it into the path of Walcott following in, but he can't stick the rebound in when he really should have. If he wants to establish himself as a centre-forward then he needs to score those sorts of chances.

You'd have to say that, for the second week in a row, Newcastle have defended their penalty area very well so far. Coloccini seems to be the only one keeping his head right about now.

Sissoko is acting as a good outlet too, in fairness. The midfielder is a very powerful runner on the ball and, whenever Newcastle are able to break forward, it is inevitably the midfielder leading the charge.

A hint of a shooting chance for Arsenal as they work the ball in to Ramsey inside the area. He spins and gets the shot away, but Anita is there to make the block.

Still Newcastle stand firm. They clear an initial corner, but Arsenal keep hold of the ball and work it back out to the right. The cross is fired in low towards the near post, but Mbemba makes a fine last-ditch challenge to deny Walcott.

Better from Newcastle as they make a rare foray into the Arsenal half. They will always have a chance if they can get Thauvin on the ball inside the area, and he squares up Monreal here before beating him on the outside. He fires a low ball into the middle, but it is dealt with by Arsenal's defence.

Mbemba carries the ball all the way forward from defence deep into the Arsenal half before finally being dispossessed. The supporters absolutely love that - great effort and desire shown from the centre-back.

Considering how much Arsenal have dominated possession from pretty much the start, they haven't caused Krul enough problems in this half. Walcott has missed a couple of glorious chances, but aside from that they haven't shown too many signs of making the breakthrough.

There will be two minutes of added time at the end of this first half.

A fiery first half comes to an end at St James' Park, but the scores are still goalless between Newcastle United and Arsenal. The big talking point of the half was the hosts being reduced to 10 men, but they have held out so far despite pretty much relentless pressure from the Gunners.

It was Aleksandar Mitrovic who saw red for the Magpies, a decision that certainly didn't go down well with the home fans. It was a decision that perhaps could have gone either way, but it is easy to see why Andre Marriner opted for a red. Mitrovic's studs were raised and they came down on the shin of Coquelin as he stretched for the ball. There was no malice involved in the challenge, but it was high and late.

Arsenal have had a couple of glorious chances, both of which have fallen to Theo Walcott. The first saw him race on to a cushioned pass inside, but he couldn't squeeze the ball past Krul, who was quickly off his line to make a very good save. Walcott had an even better chance later in the half when he raced on to a Sanchez rebound, but he couldn't convert it.

Another major talking point from that first half saw Arsenal denied what was a clear penalty when Thauvin clipped the heels of Bellerin inside the box. The full-back made an underlapping run to latch on to a pass from Oxlade-Chamberlain before being felled by Newcastle's new signing, but somehow the referee missed it. This has been a horrible game for Andre Marriner to officiate so far, but that penalty decision is the only one that he has got wrong.

Newcastle could even be down to nine men, and for much of that first half a second red card seemed inevitable. Sissoko was booked for a stamp on Monreal, although his foot was not as high as Mitrovic's and a yellow was the right decision. Mbemba and Thauvin have also gone into the book during what was an ill-disciplined opening half an hour from the Magpies.

This match has been quite similar to Newcastle's 0-0 draw with Manchester United last weekend, and if they come away with the same scoreline today then it would feel like a victory. They held out in that first half, can they do it for another 45 minutes?

KICKOFF: The Gunners get us back underway for the second half here as they continue their quest to find a way past this stubborn Newcastle defence.

YELLOW CARD! The card is out once again, and this time Anita is on the receiving end for a trip on Sanchez.

YELLOW CARDS! The biggest cheer of the afternoon is reserved for Arsenal's first booking of the match, with Cazorla seeing yellow for a trip on Wijnaldum. Wijnaldum is also put into the book shortly afterwards for a word out of place.

Newcastle have all 10 men behind the ball right now, defending really deep. That is likely to be the way this whole half goes until they find a way through.

The breakthrough finally arrives for Arsenal, and it is a rotten piece of luck for Newcastle. The pressure has been building for some time, though. Ramsey's initial effort was parried away by Krul to Oxlade-Chamberlain, who drilled it back in towards the bottom far corner. It takes a deflection off the inside of Coloccini's leg on the way through, which takes it onto the post and in.

It was always going to be tough for Newcastle to hold out, but to have conceded to an own goal will be really painful. It will be very interesting to see how McClaren approaches the rest of this one.

Well, it seems we have the answer. The hosts have started to come out and play a lot more since falling behind, showing increased attacking intent and getting forward on the break whenever possible.

CHANCE! Brilliant save from Tim Krul to keep his side hanging on in this one! Ramsey feeds the ball in to Sanchez at the front post, and the Chilean's first touch earns him a yard of space to shoot. He drills a powerful effort towards the near post, but Krul keeps a strong wrist to make a fine reaction stop.

It is a dangerous game Newcastle are playing here, but they don't really have much of a choice. They need to go in search of an equaliser, but Arsenal have the tools to hurt them on the break.

Decent move from Arsenal as they ping the ball about quickly while moving forward. Sanchez finds Monreal's overlapping run down the left and he reaches the byline before pulling the ball back. Oxlade-Chamberlain meets it, but it is just a little behind him and he can't steer it goalwards.

Arsenal are very much back on the front foot now, with Newcastle being penned back into their own half. They have no focal point in attack with Mitrovic's red card, instead relying on the likes of Sissoko and Wijnaldum to break forward from midfield.

SAVE! Krul is called into action again, but this one is easy for the keeper. Oxlade-Chamberlain flicked the ball inside for Ramsey, who in turn rolled it back into the path of Cazorla. The Spaniard hits a powerful first-time effort, but Krul is patrolling the near post and makes a simple stop.

Wenger has switched things round a little in the last 10 minutes or so, with Oxlade-Chamberlain operating in the central role and Walcott moving onto the right. Giroud, incidentally, is preparing to come on.

ARSENAL SUB: Walcott has missed a few really good chances today, and his afternoon is ended by the arrival of Giroud, who will look to add to his superb record against Newcastle in the final 20 minutes.

The new arrival is clearly eager to make an impact! He picks the ball up on the corner of the penalty area and immediately looks to shoot, but he lashes a wild effort well off target.

NEWCASTLE SUB: The hosts make their first change of the afternoon as Ayoze Perez replaces Anita. An attacking switch from McClaren.

Newcastle haven't given up on getting an equaliser here, as that sub shows. It would be very harsh on Arsenal if they don't end up winning this game, but at the same time they haven't created as much as they would have hoped under the circumstances.

Almost a break in the box for Arsenal as Giroud gets his head to a corner, flicking it on towards the back post. Sanchez is there and powers an effort at the near post, but it is blocked and goes behind for a corner.

SAVE! Giroud pulls off his man inside the box, earning a yard to shoot, but his first-time effort is stopped by Krul, who can't hold it but collects at the second time of asking.

NEWCASTLE SUB: Sissoko has worked so hard for his side today, and he is given a well-earned rest as Papiss Cisse replaces him.

Good work from Thauvin as he uses his body to draw a foul from Sanchez. It is in a decent crossing position, but Colback bizarrely takes it quickly. The resulting cross is a decent one, but Arsenal deal with it.

ARSENAL SUB: Oxlade-Chamberlain appears to have picked up a knock here, and he limps off to be replaced by Mikel Arteta.

Enterprising stuff from Bellerin as he drives into the box with the ball at his feet. He slips a pass to Cazorla, but the Spaniard can't control it and Krul is able to get it away.

There were questions asked about the spirit and desire in this Newcastle squad at times last season, but the last two matches have put paid to any of that. They have worked so hard in both and put their bodies on the line when needed, but it doesn't look like being enough today.

NEWCASTLE SUB: A third and final change for the hosts as Thauvin goes off to be replaced by Siem de Jong.

SAVE! Arsenal have a free kick just about within shooting range, and Cazorla fancies it. He fires a curling effort towards the corner, but Krul sees it all the way and gets across to make a relatively comfortable stop.

Ramsey drives forward before feeding the ball out to Sanchez, whose first touch isn't great but still sets him up for a shot. He hammers it towards the top corner, but Coloccini is there to make a block.

There will be a minimum of three minutes added time at the end of this match.

YELLOW CARD! Marriner produces one more card for good measure at the end of the match, but this one is quite harsh. Coloccini is the sixth Newcastle player in the book, despite getting the ball up against Coquelin.

CHANCE! A late chance for Giroud, but once again Krul is there to make the stop, although he didn't know too much about that one.

McClaren tells his players to go and clap the fans, who were very vocal in their support of the team throughout. Ultimately, though, the Magpies are still looking for their first league win under the former England boss as Arsenal run out 1-0 winners courtesy of a Coloccini own goal.

That is all we have time for this afternoon! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for what was a fiery affair between Newcastle and Arsenal that was decided by an own goal in the end. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to stick around for reaction, analysis and player ratings. From me, though, it is goodbye for now!