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Arsene Wenger believes Saturday's clash with Newcastle will be another tough test

Reuters

Rarely a straightforward fixture for the Gunners, Saturday's trip to St. James's Park could pose yet another problem for an Arsenal side desperate for a good run of form.

The voyage north to face Newcastle is never an easy one.

Last season, Arsene Wenger's side were fortunate to escape with a 2-1 victory on the back of a standout performance by 'keeper David Ospina and an Olivier Giroud brace.

The three points extended Arsenal's winning streak against the club to nine matches, though that stat can be deceiving, considering how challenging many of those matches have been for the north London side.

A visit to St. James's Park for Arsenal supporters has been a point of unease since that fateful day in February 2011.

The Gunners led 3-0 inside of 10 minutes on goals by Theo Walcott, Johan Djourou, and Robin van Persie, before a second from the Dutchman made it a 4-0 advantage, and matters seemed sorted for the day. Then, Abou Diaby saw red and Joey Barton calmly netted two penalties that sandwiched a close-range finish from Leon Best and all of a sudden it was 4-3 to Arsenal.

All fears became a reality when a goal-starved Cheick Tiote slotted home an absolute wonder-volley from outside of the area in the 87th minute, and Arsenal players hung their heads as if they'd lost the match.

In a way, they had.

Wenger is well aware of the risks of traveling to Newcastle with anything but a tough match in mind.

"We want to do well at Newcastle but it's always very, very, very tight and very committed there because the crowd is always behind their team," Wenger told Arsenal's official website.

"They have just come out from a good result at Manchester United so it's important that we prepare well and we give absolutely everything to win this game before the break."

Arsenal have sputtered out of the gates, sitting on four points, with Newcastle still looking for their first win of the season, making the tilt a vital matchup for both sides.

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