Bad news for Arsenal fans as Unai Emery set to be missing 12 players in Newcastle opener

Gunners travel to the north-east without Mezut Ozil and Sead Kolasinac [Courtesy]

Arsenal could be without up to 12 players for Sunday's Premier League opener against Newcastle.

They travel to the north-east without Mezut Ozil and Sead Kolasinac, who have been left out because of "security incidents" which are being investigated by police.

"Mesut Ozil and Sead Kolasinac will not be part of the squad for our opening match against Newcastle United following further security incidents which are being investigated by the police," a club statement read.

"The welfare of our players and their families is always a top priority and we have taken this decision following discussion with the players and their representatives.

"We are liaising with the police and are providing the players and their families with ongoing support.

"We look forward to welcoming the players back to the squad as soon as possible."

New signing Kieran Tierney (groin) will not make his bow while there are doubts over fellow recent recruits Dani Ceballos (ankle), David Luiz and Nicolas Pepe (both fitness).

Alexandre Lacazette has returned to training after suffering an ankle injury in the Emirates Cup defeat to Lyon but could also be absent, with Konstantinos Mavropanos and Emile Smith Rowe (both groin), Hector Bellerin and Rob Holding (both knee) and Mohamed Elneny (fitness) all likely to miss out.

Meanwhile, Newcastle midfielder Matt Ritchie will be available again provided he does not suffer a reaction to his return to training after injury.

The Scotland international has been struggling with a hamstring problem picked up during pre-season but is back in business, unlike full-back DeAndre Yedlin (groin) and striker Dwight Gayle (calf), who remain on the sidelines along with defender Florian Lejeune (knee).

New head coach Steve Bruce could hand competitive debuts to summer signings Joelinton, Allan Saint-Maximin and Jetro Willems. However, full-back Emil Krafth only trained with the squad for the first time on Friday, while fellow deadline-day acquisition Andy Carroll is lacking match fitness.

Provisional squads

Newcastle: Dubravka, Darlow, Manquillo, Krafth, Dummett, Fernandez, Schar, Lascelles, Clark, Shelvey, Hayden, S. Longstaff, Ki, Ritchie, Willems, Atsu, Almiron, Saint-Maximin, Joelinton, Muto.

Arsenal: Leno, Martinez, Bellerin, Maitland-Niles, Mustafi, Luiz, Papastathopoulos, Chambers, Monreal, Xhaka, Guendouzi, Torreira, Elneny, Willock, Ceballos, Mkhitaryan, Pepe, Aubameyang, Lacazette, Martinelli.