Rafael Benitez says Arsenal are firm favourites against Newcastle United, dismissing the claim Arsene Wenger's men could be tired following their Europa League exertions.
Newcastle are on a fine three-match winning run, but Arsenal's 2-2 draw at CSKA Moscow – enough to reach the semi-finals – ended their own streak of six straight victories in all competitions.
Despite the Gunners looking set to miss out on Champions League qualification in the Premier League for the second successive season, Benitez still considers them to be among the division's elite.
"Arsenal are one of the top sides in English football," he told a pre-match news conference.