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LONDON. — Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says first-choice central defensive pairing Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny remain doubtful for the Gunners’ trip to Newcastle tomorrow. Illness and a back injury prevented the pair from playing in Monday’s 0-0 draw against Liverpool, with Calum Chambers and Gabriel Paulista filling in for the absent duo.

Wenger will be hoping his regular starters can soon return after their replacements were unconvincing in the first half as goalkeeper Petr Cech made two stunning saves with Liverpool play-maker Philippe Coutinho hitting the woodwork twice. “Mertesacker is still ill and we will know more about Koscielny after he has a test,” Wenger said in his news conference yesterday.” — Reuters.