Newcastle United v Arsenal: Jack Wilshere and Laurent Koscielny return for the Gunners but Mesut Ozil fails to make the bench

Both players had missed Arsenal's last two matches

Jack Wilshere returns from his ban for making an offensive gesture at Manchester City fans (GETTY IMAGES)

Jack Wilshere and Laurent Koscielny have returned to the Arsenal line-up for today's Premier League fixture at Newcastle United, but Mesut Ozil has a slight shoulder injury and is not in the squad. A victory at St James' Park would see the Gunners return to the top of the table.

Both players have missed the Gunners last two matches, Wilshere because of his ban after making an offensive gesture at Manchester City fans in the 6-3 defeat on 14 December, while the defender Koscielny was absent after sustaining a knee injury in the loss at the Etihad Stadium.

Arsenal's £42.5m record signing Ozil, meanwhile, has a slight shoulder problem and has not made the trip, and the club have also confirmed left-back Nacho Monreal and captain Thomas Vermaelen are ill.

Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs, Flamini, Rosicky, Wilshere, Walcott, Cazorla, Giroud