Prem Preview (Arsenal vs Newcastle)

The Gunners will be hoping to get over last weeks disappointment with an opening day victory against last season's biggest under achievers Newcastle United.

Graeme Souness is under enormous pressure at Newcastle, his popularity with the fans is at an all time low and he is one of the favourites in the Managerial sack race. Also, the disappointment at not signing a new striker, and injuries and suspensions ruling out Ameobi and Chopra, Souness will be tempted to play a scarecrow up front along side Alan Shearer against Arsenal.

Wenger meanwhile has had equal disappointments in the transfer market this summer. Baptista seemed set for the Gunners before he opted to join Real Madrid instead. Despite this, and the frustration at losing against Rivals Chelsea in the Community Shield, Wenger will know his Gunners side go into this game as overwhelming favourite.

Arsenal (from): Lehmann, Almunia, Lauren, Hoyte, Cole, Clichy, Toure, Senderos, Cygan, Gilberto Silva, Fabregas, Flamini, Pires, Ljungberg, van Persie, Hleb, Bergkamp, Henry.

Newcastle (from): Given, Harper, Carr, Babayaro, Taylor, Elliott, Boumsong, Moore, Parker, Emre, Jenas, Bowyer, Faye, N'Zogbia, Shearer, Dyer, Milner.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger:

"Newcastle can be one of the dangerous teams this season.

"No-one expects them to be but they are a good side, especially in the middle of the park where they have made some good additions with Emre and Parker.

"They already had a very good midfield, so they're a very good side and a great performance will be needed to win."

Newcastle boss Graeme Souness:

"We are under no illusions that it will be a very hard game for us but if we can enjoy a bit of luck and perform we can win any game.

"We've had them watched and there's things we think we can exploit.


My tip: Arsenal 3 Newcastle 0 (Gunners way too strong for a Newcastle side struggling with a paper thin strike force)

(Team news/manager quotes provided by www.bbc.co.uk/football)