Newcastle United boss Sam Allardyce admits tonight's Arsenal team are a far tougher proposition than previous models.

He said: "I think they are tougher by experience, as well as in a physical sense. The younger players are getting more and more experience and that brings a better mental resilience.

"They have seen what goes right and what goes wrong more often. More importantly, their finishing power has improved immensely compared to last season.

"I think they created just as many chances last year but, this time round, the ratio of converting those chances is up.

"In lots of areas - Cesc Fabregas, in particular - they have improved their goalscoring records way beyond what they did before. That is one of the key elements of Arsenal being undefeated."