Van Persie makes surprise return for Gunners

Robin van Persie made an unexpected return to the Arsenal bench for this afternoon’s Barclays Premier League clash with Newcastle at Emirates Stadium.

The Dutchman has been out since August 28 with an ankle problem, and only trained fully for the first time yesterday.

Captain Cesc Fabregas also was back in the starting XI, having missed the midweek away Champions League defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk with a hamstring problem, while Theo Walcott, on target in Ukraine, got a chance to impress watching England boss Fabio Capello and Jack Wilshere returned to domestic action after a three-game ban.

Newcastle captain Kevin Nolan and striker Andy Carroll were both in the team, despite making front-page headlines this morning following allegations about their private lives.

Former Gunner Sol Campbell was on the bench.

Arsenal: Fabianski, Sagna, Koscielny, Squillaci, Clichy, Song, Wilshere, Fabregas, Walcott, Chamakh, Nasri.

Subs: Szczesny, Rosicky, van Persie, Djourou, Arshavin, Eboue, Bendtner.

Newcastle: Krul, Simpson, Coloccini, Williamson, Jose Enrique, Barton, Tiote, Nolan, Gutierrez, Carroll, Ameobi.

Subs: Soderberg, Campbell, Routledge, Lovenkrands, Smith, Steven Taylor, Ranger.

Referee: Mike Dean (Wirral)