Arsenal loanee Denis Suarez in line for first Premier League start

Arsenal head coach Unai Emery says Denis Suarez is finally ready to make his first competitive start for the club.

The midfielder joined the Gunners on loan in January from Barcelona after agreeing a deal until the end of this season.

However, since making the switch, Suarez is yet to start a competitive game for Arsenal and instead he has had to settle for six appearances off the bench.

The Spaniard was part of the club’s warm-weather training camp to Dubai this week, though, and started Tuesday’s friendly against United Arab Emirates side Al Nasr.

And Emery has revealed the 25-year-old is now in contention to start his first competitive match for Arsenal against Newcastle on Monday.

“I think he is okay for starting in the first 11 or for giving us this impact after,” said Emery.

“But I think now, our focus is collectively very strongly focused on helping in 90 minutes, or 50 minutes, or 1 minute. We are going to need every player for the next matches.

“I think it’s normal [that it took him time to settle]. But now, we have a lot of players ready and with a big mentality and a big performance for playing and helping us.

“For me, like that, we can be stronger, more competitive for taking big performances. With Denis, or with another.”

Emery is hopeful that both Aaron Ramsey and Granit Xhaka will be fit for Monday’s game with Newcastle after they picked up injuries on international duty.

Arsenal will assess the duo on Sunday, but it is expected that they will be considered available for selection for the match at Emirates Stadium.

The match is the first of the Gunners’ last eight Premier League games, which include none against the top six, but when asked if Arsenal had the easiest run-in of sides fighting to finish in the top four, Emery replied: “I think not.

“We are going to play the same matches and we are going to play five away and three at home. I think it is going to be very difficult for us.

“Newcastle are in a good moment. They have a lot good players and good organisation. The coach has a lot of experience nah he is very competitive and I know that.

“The last matches they are playing, they are playing with a big confidence and very strong defensively and very competitive.

“My focus is on how we can break their defensive positions and also a big performance for us to take a win against them.”

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