Premier League Preview: Arsenal v Newcastle

Saturday, kick-off 5.30pm

Celebrity predictions from The New Football Pools' pundits:

John Barnes : Home win. Tony Cascarino : Home win. Graham Poll : Home win.

Team news:

Arsenal captain William Gallas and forward Theo Walcott (both knee) have recovered from minor knocks picked up in the midweek Champions League victory over FC Twente, while winger Samir Nasri has shaken off a virus. Midfielder Cesc Fabregas came through unscathed following his return from a hamstring problem, but new signing Mikael Silvestre (thigh), Tomas Rosicky (hamstring), Abou Diaby (thigh), Amaury Bischoff (groin) and striker Eduardo (leg) remain in recovery.

Joey Barton could make a surprise return to the Newcastle squad. Barton, who is due to face Football Association disciplinary chiefs next Friday after admitting a charge of violent conduct, may be drafted in following James Milner's departure for Aston Villa and the news that Geremi has a knee ligament injury. Michael Owen could start Obafemi Martins (groin), Mark Viduka (Achilles), Damien Duff (knee), Claudio Cacapa (hamstring) and Andy Carroll (heel) all sidelined.

Stats:

Last season: Arsenal 3 Newcastle 0, Newcastle 1 Arsenal 1

Last five league matches: Arsenal W W W W L; Newcastle D L L D W

Top scorers: William Gallas & Samir Nasri (Arsenal) 2; Michael Owen (Newcastle) 2

Match odds: H 4-9 A 7-1 D 3-1

Referee: Rob Styles (Hampshire)

Match facts from Opta:

Three of the last four meetings between the two sides in the Premier League have ended as draws.

The Gunners beat Newcastle three times at Emirates Stadium last season - once in the league, once in the Carling Cup and once in the FA Cup.

Emmanuel Adebayor scored four goals in three appearances against Newcastle last season.

Arsenal have only won six of their last 14 Premier League games.

The last four league games involving Arsenal have all ended 1-0, the Gunners winning three of them.

Newcastle have scored just one goal in their last six visits to play the Gunners in north London in all competitions.

The Magpies have won only one of their last 12 away Premier League games, but they have lost just one of the last six.

The Gunners have lost only one of 39 Premier League games played at Emirates Stadium.

Manuel Almunia has only kept two clean sheets in his last nine league appearances.

Arsenal haven't won a league game with Gallas and Toure together as a centre back partnership since New Year's Day - a run of four matches.

Arsenal have fired in more shots than any other team this season (30), yet only Portsmouth (0) have scored fewer goals.

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