Afternoon all. Well, the Premier League action really is coming thick and fast right now - not that we are complaining! Here we will be covering a match between two of the Premier League's most impressive sides this season - Newcastle United and Arsenal.

Right, before we go any further, let's looks at the team news, which is just starting to filter through. We will start with the home side.

NEWCASTLE XI: Krul; Debuchy, Coloccini, Williamson, Santon; Anita, Tiote, Cabaye; Sissoko, Remy, Gouffran

NEWCASTLE SUBS: Elliot, Haidara, Yanga-Mbiwa, Sammy Ameobi, Ben Arfa, Shola Ameobi, Cisse

The biggest news to come out of that Newcastle side is that Hatem Ben Arfa has only been selected among the substitutes, despite the fact that he shone last time out against Stoke City. Apart from that, it's pretty much the lineup that had been anticipated from Alan Pardew, with the French trio of Yohan Cabaye, Loic Remy and Yoan Gouffran all included

And now for Arsenal, who are without one of their biggest names...

ARSENAL XI: Szczesny; Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs; Flamini, Rosicky, Wilshere, Walcott, Cazorla; Giroud

ARSENAL SUBS: Fabianski, Jenkinson, Arteta, Ryo, Bendtner, Gnabry, Podolski

Spotted the absentee? Obviously it is Mesut Ozil, who has missed the trip to Tyneside altogether. However, on the plus side for the Gunners, centre-back Laurent Koscielny has returned to the team following a short spell on the sidelines with an injury. What's more, after a two-match suspension, Jack Wilshere has been reinstated by Arsene Wenger, with Mikel Arteta dropping down to the bench.

And Arsenal, via Twitter, have just explained why German international Ozil is not included today:

.@MesutOzil1088 has a slight shoulder problem, Monreal and @T_Vermaelen05 are sick #NUFCvAFC

— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) December 29, 2013

So, what are Arsenal missing out on? Well, the 25-year-old has largely been impressive since he joined from Real Madrid in the summer. He has scored four Premier League goals, but perhaps more importantly, the £42.5m signing has chipped in with seven assists for his teammates.

Of course, Ozil's omission will provide others with the opportunity to prove their worth. Wilshere, for example, has been played out of position on occasions to accommodate the German. With Aaron Ramsey also ruled out through injury, the onus will be on the England international today to provide the link between the midfield and lone striker Olivier Giroud. Santi Cazorla is another player who will no doubt be keen to shine.

Talking of Giroud, after a positive start to the campaign, the Arsenal frontman's form has tailed off in recent weeks. Whether it's down to tiredness or not, the goals have deserted him. He's not scored since November 23 against Southampton. In fact, he's scored just twice since the trip to Crystal Palace on October 26. If the Gunners are to challenge for the title during the second half of the campaign, they are going to need Giroud to rediscover his clinical touch. Today wouldn't be a bad time to start!

There is no such problem for Giroud's fellow countryman - Loic Remy - who will lead Newcastle's attack today. He joined on loan from Queens Park Rangers during the summer and he's gone on to score 10 goals, including two last time out against Stoke. He's also shown that he is capable of producing the goods against the division's bigger clubs, having fired in goals against Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea this term.

Remy's goals are actually a large reason as to why Newcastle go into this match seventh in the table. As mentioned in the introduction, a win could see them end the year in fifth. Are they contenders for a Champions League place? Goalkeeper Tim Krul believes that a win today would go a long way to making them challengers:

"We have got a great confidence and we feel we can beat anybody. We are really happy with where we are, but we can't get carried away. If we beat a top team like Arsenal, we will be in the mix," he told Sky Sports News moments ago.

Staying with Newcastle, their manager Pardew has also just been talking to Sky Sports News. It's fair to say that he is confident: "We are in good shape today. It's the same side that beat Man United and if we can produce that level of performance, we will win.

"We are a good team, regardless of the result today. It will be three more extra points - giving us 36 before January. That would be outstanding."

Some will remember that these two sides actually met exactly one year ago today, albeit at the Emirates Stadium. Remarkably, 10 goals were scored, with Arsenal running out 7-3 victors in North London. You can relive that match below:

Amazingly, during the previous campaign, the two teams shared eight goals evenly. That doesn't tell the whole story, though. After all, Arsenal were 4-0 up and somehow returned to the capital with a draw! Again, you can recall that game below:

As you would imagine, Wenger was not a happy chap that day! He looked more relaxed a few minutes ago when he spoke to Sky Sports News: "We have been relatively consistent. It's another difficult away game for us that we want to win. We have a good squad and we want to show it. It's a big test for us, but that's the Premier League."

PREDICTION: Right, with just under 10 minutes to go until we get underway at St James' Park, let's have a go at guessing the outcome. Recent meetings suggest that we will see goals, so let's hope that is proven to be correct! Newcastle are in very good form and despite Arsenal having a chance to go top, it would be a bit of surprise if the hosts are defeated here. Let's sit on the fence and say 2-2, with Remy and Theo Walcott getting among the goals.

The Arsenal players arrived in the tunnel early and are now being made to wait by their hosts! Nevertheless, it's only a few minutes left until we get started.

GAME ON! Here we go then - Arsenal, attacking from left to right, get this contest off and running. Huge 90 minutes ahead for both teams.

Not too much to report from the opening exchanges here, with neither side creating anything of note. As you'd expect, Arsenal have looked extremely comfortable in possession, but the Newcastle rearguard look well organised.

Kieran Gibbs has just had three opportunities to send dangerous crosses into the penalty area, but on each occasion he only succeeded in picking out a black and white shirt. The Arsenal full-back recently confessed that he needed to improve the attacking side of his game and you can see why there.

Arsenal have started to move through the gears, with Wilshere at the centre of everything. He just exchanged passes with Tomas Rosicky, but as he then looked for Giroud, Fabricio Coloccini slid out to clear. The ball dropped to Rosicky, but his effort from distance was charged down. The Magpies are struggling to get a foothold in this game.

A better first touch from Mathieu Debuchy and Newcastle could well be 1-0 up. Cabaye picks out the Newcastle full-back with a lofted pass. He's evaded the attention of Gibbs, but with the goal at his mercy, Debuchy fails to gain possession and the ball skips through to Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny.

Newcastle are starting to get a bit of joy down the right flank with Moussa Sissoko and Debuchy. It's all coming about because Gibbs is being left two vs. one, with Cazorla often neglecting to carry out his defensive duties.

We've not seen too much of Gouffran yet. The Frenchman has been in good form for Newcastle in recent weeks, cutting in from the left whenever he could. However, today he has stuck to the wing much more. That could well be to help out Davide Santon with the pace of Theo Walcott, but it has hampered him in an attacking sense, that's for sure.

CHANCE! Arsenal have often been accused of trying to walk the ball into the net, but Wilshere cannot be accused of doing so just now. A gap opens up for him some 20 yards from goal and he pulls the trigger with a powerful drive. The ball is always, rising, though and it eventually sails comfortably over the crossbar.

CHANCE! Debuchy is Newcastle's biggest attacking threat right now. Again he is picked out by Cabaye, but with a narrowing angle, his volleyed effort flies wide of the target. We are still waiting for the first shot on target.

SAVE! And there we have it - the game's first effort on target. It's neat football from Arsenal, with the ball eventually being worked to Rosicky on the edge of the area. He shifts it on to his left foot, before unleashing a swerving strike. Krul is prepared, though, and moves across his line to hold at the first attempt.

Giroud appears to have a foot problem that he picked up during a challenge with Mike Williamson. He's yet to receive any treatment, but he keeps feeling that area. Arsenal can't really afford for him to come off injured, despite his lack of form in front of goal.

Now he is getting treatment following a foul that he committed on Tiote. The Arsenal striker immediately called for medical attention and this doesn't look good.

BOOKING! He's now on his feet, but to quite literally add insult to injury, Giroud is given a yellow card for the foul on Tiote. To be fair, it wasn't the best challenge that you will ever see.

PENALTY APPEAL! Huge shouts for a penalty from the Newcastle fans and Sissoko as he goes down under a challenge from Flamini. Replays shows that a foul should have certainly been awarded, but the offence actually took place outside of the area. It doesn't really matter, though, because referee Lee Probert waved play on.

CHANCE! When the ball drops on the edge of the Newcastle area, Mertesacker is not one of the players that Arsenal would want to inherit possession. However, the German centre-back did find himself in that position and having chested the ball down, he tried his luck. The connection was poor and he ended up skewing his shot well wide of the goal.

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

SAVE! What a stop from Szczesny, who dives full stretch to his right to deny Sissoko, who had struck a powerful shot from 25 yards out. Then, from the resultant corner, the Arsenal goalkeeper is stranded as Debuchy heads goalwards, but the crossbar comes to Arsenal's rescue. Great end to the half by the home side.

So, despite that late drama, the two sides go into the break having failed to break the deadlock.

As far as Newcastle are concerned, Pardew is probably going to be tinged with disappointment right now. Apart from in stoppage time, they've barely troubled the away side. Having said that, they did something similar during their victory over Chelsea earlier in the season. They soaked up the pressure during the opening 45 minutes and then hit the Blues after the restart. Perhaps that is the plan again today.

Meanwhile, Arsenal have lacked that final pass or shot that their build-up play is craving. They have been neat and tidy up until a point, but that piece of quality in the final third has eluded them so far. If nothing else, it's shown just how important Ozil is to the Gunners.

In terms of substitutions, you wouldn't expect either manager to make one just yet. When they do, Ben Arfa should come under consideration by Pardew. Gouffran has been quiet today, whereas Ben Arfa is capable of producing the unexpected. As for Arsenal, perhaps Lukas Podolski could continue the good form that he showed upon his recent return from injury against West Ham United.

SECOND HALF UNDERWAY! So, Newcastle get proceedings on Tyneside restarted. Let's hope for a bit more over the coming 45 minutes.

Koscielny may still be troubled from his recent injury, but he has been caught in possession on a number of occasions today. Moments ago he looked to play the ball out from the back, but his pass was intercepted by Sissoko. Right now, Newcastle won't mind him getting him involved.

There's confusion inside the Arsenal area as Vurnon Anita stands up a cross towards the back post. Szczesny comes and gets nowhere near the ball, while Bacary Sagna is motionless as his keeper advances. Had Gouffran gambled, he would have had a simple tap-in, but the Newcastle winger looked a little timid and the danger is eventually cleared.

Nice spell in possession for Arsenal involving the likes of Rosicky, Wilshere and Walcott. The ball eventually arrives at the feet of Flamini, who despite having many qualities, is not known as a scorer of goals. He shows just why by wildly shooting a good few yards over the crossbar from 25 yards out.

SUBSTITUTION: Here is the Newcastle change that I predicted during the break, with Gouffran coming off to be replaced by Ben Arfa. The fans had been chanting his name for some time and his arrival is greeted by a huge cheer from the home faithful.

A big goal for Giroud and a potentially huge goal for Arsenal. It's so simple as well, with Walcott sending a central free kick into the penalty area. Giroud is the only player that makes a move towards the ball and with time and space, he glances a header beyond Krul. When you are having a barren run in front of goal like Giroud was, that is the type of chance you are desperate for. Arsenal lead and if it stays this way, they will be top of the table at the start of 2014.

CHANCE! If you thought that Giroud scoring would have given him confidence, you'd be wrong! How he hasn't scored a second goal is staggering! It starts with Walcott, who sees his first shot blocked by Krul. The winger lofts his rebounded effort goalwards, but Debuchy retreats to head clear off the line. The ball then drops to Giroud, who has what looks to be a simple tap in. He gets the volley all wrong, though, with his effort almost rolling out for a throw!

SUBSTITUTION: An alteration for Arsenal, who take off left-back Gibbs and replace him with holding midfielder Mikel Arteta. One would assume that Gibbs has picked up an injury. The introduction of Arteta has seen Flamini fill in for the departing Gibbs.

SUBSTITUTION: Second change for Newcastle, who throw on another striker in the form of Shola Ameobi, with Anita coming off.

BOOKING! For some reason, Flamini feels harshly treated to have seen a yellow card. The fact is that he needlessly ploughed through the back of Ben Arfa on the touchline and is deserving of the caution.

BOOKING! It's heating up now as players from both teams fly in! It was sparked by a challenge that Rosicky committed on Cabaye, which was late. The Arsenal midfielder goes into the book, while those that exchanged handbags get off without punishment. Referee Probert needs to keep his cool because this match is threatening to boil over.

SUBSTITUTIONS: Both teams make alterations, with Sissoko hooked for Newcastle and full-back Massadio Haidara coming on. It's also the end of Walcott's afternoon as he has been replaced by Carl Jenkinson. That's a sign that Wenger is looking to protect the lead that his team hold.

There is not a luckier man on Tyneside right now than Arsenal keeper Szczesny, that's for certain. He stands on the edge of his area, only for his attempted clearance to clatter into Remy's face. The ball appears to be heading into an empty net, but it slides an inch or two wide of the upright. So close.

SAVE! Newcastle are starting to push hard now as they peg Arsenal back. The Gunners fail to clear Haidara's cross from the left and the ball drops to Ameobi on the edge of the area. Having gained control, the striker goes for glory, but his shot is weak and Szczesny is able to collect with relative ease.

SUBSTITUTION: Final change of the match for Arsenal and it's the goalscorer Giroud that is given a breather. On in his place is Nicklas Bendtner, who has previously spent time on loan with Sunderland. Predictably, he is jeered by the home fans.

There will be four minutes of stoppage time as Krul comes up for a Newcastle corner which comes to nothing.

CHANCE! Very good opportunity for Ben Arfa, who does everything right until the finish. He bombs down the right flank, before turning inside which puts Flamini on his backside. He then has a choice of shooting or crossing, but instead of going across goal, he opts for a near post effort which cannons into the side netting. That's a waste.

Newcastle have a corner and Krul is up...

That corner comes to nothing and consequently Arsenal claim the three points that sees them return to the top of the Premier League table. Newcastle pushed hard, but with no success.

That's all we have time for from St James' Park. Thanks for joining us this afternoon. Until next time, goodbye.