Walcott continues up front for Gunners

Theo Walcott continued as Arsenal’s lone striker for the third straight game as the Gunners looked to end the year on a high with victory over Newcastle at the Emirates Stadium.

Olivier Giroud had to settle for a place on the bench despite recovering from illness and Laurent Koscielny came in for Per Mertesacker in the only change from the XI that beat Wigan last week.