THE Steve Bruce era begins at St James’ Park as Newcastle host Arsenal on the opening weekend of the new Premier League season.
Former manager Rafael Benitez left the club in the summer, but his replacement at the helm will be keen to kick off his tenure in the North East with victory over the Gunners.
Meanwhile, Unai Emery gets his second season in North London underway and aims to improve on last season’s 5th-placed finish, with securing Champions League football the ultimate objective for Arsenal and their Spanish boss.
This Premier League will take place on Sunday, August 11.
It will kick off at 2pm.
The match will be held at St James’ Park.
Newcastle vs Arsenal will be shown live in the UK on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event.
Coverage will commence one hour before kick-off, at 2pm.
Sky Sports customers will be able to live stream the game online via the app on their computer, tablet and mobile devices.
Those without a subscription can purchase a Sky Sports Day Pass from NowTV for £8.99.
Newcastle’s deadline day signing Emil Krafth may not be able to feature so soon after sealing his move, but other recruits Joelinton, Allan Saint-Maximin and Jetro Willems should all play.
Miguel Almiron could be struggling for fitness after competing in the Copa America with Paraguay, while Christian Atsu, DeAndre Yedlin, Dwight Gayle and Florian Lejeune are all certainties to miss out for the Magpies.
Mesut Ozil and Sead Kolasinac will miss the game because of “security fears”, the club have announced.
The pair were involved in a carjacking attempt in north London a fortnight ago.
Meanwhile, Sunday may come too soon for Arsenal’s record addition Nicolas Pepe following the winger’s duties at AFCON with the Ivory Coast.
Kieran Tierney is injured and will not make his debut yet, but David Luiz could go straight into Unai Emery’s starting eleven.
Star forward Alexandre Lacazette is a doubt with an ankle injury, while Hector Bellerin and Rob Holding are both out.
