Newcastle United out to do double over Arsenal

Newcastle United shocked Arsenal when they beat them 1-0 at the Emirates back in November, but it is a different black and white outfit this time and they are without the man who did all the damage.

Andy Carroll, who got the winning goal that day as Newcastle were victorious under Chris Hughton, left the club in a £35 million deal to join Liverpool on transfer deadline day, and following that deal the last thing Alan Pardew needed was to lose another forward from his threadbare squad.

But Shola Ameobi did not last long in their defeat to Fulham in midweek and was stretchered off with a fractured cheekbone that means he must face six weeks on the sidelines.

The duo of Leon Best and Nile Ranger played the majority of the game up front, but neither made much of an impression and failed to worry the Fulham defence as the Magpies slipped to their first league defeat of 2011.

Best and Ranger have four goals between them this season, with three of those coming in the Premier League and Best grabbing all of them in one game against West Ham. Best and Ranger are 9/1 and 12/1 respectively to score the first goal of the game on Saturday.

With Peter Lovenkrands the only other attacking option at Pardew's disposal he is suffering a striking crisis and the boss has been linked with a move for former Middlesbrough forward Jeremie Aliadiere. Pardew was not very complimentary about his striking duo at Craven Cottage and will need them to step up if Newcastle are to get anything out of a strong Arsenal side – and the hosts are 9/2 to win the game, with a draw at 14/5.

"I will be honest about the strikers. They weren't as good as they have been," he said.

"Young Nile has got a lot to learn and Leon Best, unfortunately for Leon, did not have a good night."

Hatem Ben Arfa, Dan Gosling, Steven Taylor, Alan Smith and Ryan Taylor are all still out injured for Pardew, while loan signing Stephen Ireland still remains some time from making his debut in a black and white shirt.

Newcastle could do with a win as they have not tasted victory in three games, but face a daunting task against the Gunners, who will be without midfielders Denilson and Samir Nasri, with the visitors 4/6 favourites to win with bookmakers.

Arsene Wenger can call on Sebastien Squillaci after he returns from suspension and he is waiting to see if Theo Walcott (7/1 to score the first goal) can shake off an ankle problem.

Arsenal are on a six-match winning streak as they look to continue the pressure on Manchester United at the top of the Premier League, and they beat Newcastle in the Carling Cup at St James' Park earlier in the campaign.