Report: Koscielny expected to miss Newcastle match, Mertesacker should be back

Half of Arsenal's preferred centre-backs should return to the fold during Saturday's match against Newcastle United.

Laurent Koscielny likely won't make the trip north when Arsenal travels to St James' Park as he continues to recover from a back injury that kept him out of the team's last match against Liverpool.

Per Mertesacker, however, looks set for a return to the lineup after falling ill before Arsenal's scoreless draw Monday. He's expected to be available and will likely form a partnership with Gabriel Paulista, according to Jeremy Wilson of the Telegraph.

Mertesacker's return should provide stability compared to the struggles Calum Chambers displayed against Liverpool, although his unfamiliarity with Paulista could pose a challenge after years of lining up next to Koscielny.

Monday's start was only Paulista's fifth since joining Arsenal last January from Villarreal.

Arsenal will hope its luck changes against Newcastle if the regular centre-backs are unable to return. Their absence would be the third match without Mertesacker and Koscielny patrolling the backline together since April 2012. Arsenal failed to record a victory in the first two.