Eddie Howe's lucky charm to start - Our predicted XI for Newcastle United to face Arsenal

Eddie Howe gave himself one of those headaches that managers love to have on Wednesday after changing a few people around to face Chelsea in the Carabao Cup.

Newcastle United put in one of the best performances of the season against the Blues with a much-changed side which will have given the Toon boss plenty to think about heading into the game against Arsenal.

Saturday's lunch-time kick-off will be Newcastle's third game in six days and Eddie Howe is worried about overworking his players so changes will be made again for Saturday with the likes of Bruno Guimaraes to be reinstated to the starting XI, but how will the rest of the team look?

We've had a punt, but honestly, we aren't even convinced by this team selection, it could be wildly different.

Goalkeeper

Nick Pope - This one was easy at least. If Pope is fit there's no danger of him being dropped.

Defence

Tino Livramento - Emil Krafth earned the right to start against Arsenal on Wednesday, but we think Howe will turn to Tino as the fresher of the two.

Fabian Schar - Lack of options on the right side of the defence means Fabi, who captained the side on Wednesday, will start the third game of the week.

Dan Burn - Much like Krafth, we feel that Lloyd Kelly did enough to make a case for starting over Dan Burn, but we're trying to predict what Howe will do, not what we think it should look like.

Lewis Hall - The young'un gets better and better with each game, and that youth should mean he'll be absolutely fine to play three games in a week.

Midfield

Sean Longstaff - We can't shake that stat that we've won 20% more games with Longy in the side than without. That alone is enough for us to see him start against Arsenal - It also sounded like Howe was trying to prepare us for resting Sandro Tonali in his presser after the Italian has played two games already this week.

Bruno Guimaraes (c) - Bruno watched on from the sidelines for much of the game on Wednesday and Tonali did such a good job in his position he might be getting worried about his role in the team.

Joe Willock - We're far from sure of this one as playing twice in a few days after his injury-hit season may be too much, but we really want to see Willockinho back so we're willing it into existence.

Forwards

Anthony Gordon - We have a suspicion that Howe may keep Anthony Gordon on the right after Wednesday just to keep J7 involved.

Alexander Isak - A slight doubt as he recovers from his toe injury, but we reckon he'll be fine. Although we wouldn't object to a start by Will Osula if Isak is struggling.

Joelinton - Worked well down the left on Wednesday and while he could be one of those in line for a rest after playing twice already this week, we know Joey will still have it in him to go again.

There are so many alternatives that we could have come up with for this one after Wednesday, some of which we'd never really have entertained before seeing it work so well against Chelsea, but this is about where we landed after many discussions.

If we were to pick an XI based on what we think it would be different again. Probably a different formation too if we're being honest.