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The Aussie shot-stopper has been picked to start for a second successive league game (Picture: Getty)Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says he has \u2018learnt his lesson\u2019 from previous matches and decided to ring the changes for the Gunners\u2019 clash with Newcastle in order to avoid any injuries.
\nThe Spanish coach has made eight changes from the side that lost 2-1 to Villarreal on Thursday evening in their Europa League semi-final first leg in Spain.
\nOnly three players have retained their place in the starting XI: Martin Odegaard, Granit Xhaka and Dani Ceballos \u2013 who was sent off against Villarreal and is ineligible for the second leg.<\/p>\n
Ceballos keeps his place despite being sent off against Villarreal (Picture: Getty)Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang makes his first start since recovering from malaria, Gabriel Martinelli is back in the side and Mat Ryan starts for the second successive league game after Bernd Leno\u2019s error against Everton.
\nAsked to explain his decision to make so many changes, Arteta told Sky Sports before the game: \u2018It was just to prepare for today\u2019s game the best possible way.
\n\u2018We played 40 minutes with 10 men, we had a crazy schedule and players didn\u2019t recover. And we know the risks we are taking every week.
\nMore: Arsenal FC<\/p>\n
\u2018Last week we learnt a lesson with Laca [Alexandre Lacazette], we lost him, we lost so many players in the last weeks, and we need fresh players as well.\u2019
\nAubameyang came off the bench late on against Villarreal and very nearly scored an equaliser, though Arteta does not expect him to play 90 minutes against Newcastle as he recovers from his illness.<\/p>\n
Arteta is keen to be cautious with his injury-hit Arsenal squad (Picture: Getty)Asked for an update on the Gunners\u2019 top scorer, Arteta said: \u2018Well he\u2019s been progressing every week.
\n\u2018Against Villarreal he could only play 10-15 minutes. But he\u2019s feeling better every day. Let\u2019s see how long he lasts, but it\u2019s a good way to see where he\u2019s at in terms of fitness.\u2019
\nThere has been less progress on potential returns for Lacazette and Kieran Tierney, with Arteta saying of the pair: \u2018They haven\u2019t trained with us yet so it\u2019s very unlikely to have them ready in the next few games.\u2019<\/p>\n
\tMORE : Arsenal \u2018confident\u2019 of securing deal to sign Brighton midfielder Yves Bissouma<\/p>\n
\tMORE : Martin Keown tells Mikel Arteta to play Bukayo Saka at left-back to save \u2018exposed\u2019 Arsenal star Granit Xhaka<\/p>\n