Squad sheets: Newcastle United v Arsenal

Arsène Wenger's mood, hardly mellowed by painfully slow goodbyes from Cesc Fábregas and Samir Nasri, has been further darkened by logistical disruptions. When the Arsenal manager discovered his team's intended hotel on Tyneside was hosting a Geordie wedding party he switched the booking to a less conveniently situated property in Durham City. While Wenger wonders whether Alan Pardew will select Joey Barton, Cheik Tioté dreams of emulating his wonder volley which earned Newcastle a 4-4 draw after being 4-0 down in last season's equivalent fixture. Much may hinge on Yohan Cabaye's input in Pardew's midfield. Louise Taylor Venue St James' Park, Saturday 5.30pm Tickets £26-61 (0844 372 1892) Last season Newcastle 4 Arsenal 4 Referee Peter Walton Last season's matches 27 Y 94, R 7,3.74 cards per game Odds Newcastle 10-3 Arsenal 10-11 Draw 13-5 Newcastle Subs from Forster, Harper, R Taylor, Williamson, Perch, Ferguson, Gosling, Guthrie, Lovenkrands, Best, Vuckic, Obertan, Tavernier Doubtful Barton (disciplinary issues), Ferguson (ankle) Injured Ben Arfa (ankle, Sep) Suspended None Disciplinary record (last season) Y78 R2 Leading scorers (last season) Ameobi, Best, Lovenkrands 6 Arsenal Subs from Almunia, Fabianski, Vela, Mannone, Jenkinson, Djourou, Miyaichi, Squillaci, Traoré, Frimpong, Arshavin, Chamakh, Oxlade-Chamberlain Doubtful None Injured Wilshere (ankle, 20 Aug), Diaby (ankle, Oct) Suspended None Disciplinary record (last season) Y67 R6 Leading scorer (last season) Van Persie 18 Match pointers • Arsenal have won only one of their last 10 matches in all competitions away from home • Newcastle attempted 19 shots at home against Arsenal last season, more than in any of their other Premier League games in 2010-11 • Arsenal had the most different goalscorers last term (17) while Newcastle had the joint fewest (11) • Newcastle have won just two of their last 16 home meetings with Arsenal in all competitions • Robin van Persie has scored in his last nine away games, a Premier League record