Arsenal ... The Mackems ... For Toon!

Last updated : 17 June 2011 By Footy Mad - Editor

The return meeting with the Black Cats at St James' Park takes place on March 3.

Former Magpies striker Andy Carroll will return to Tyneside with his new club Liverpool on March 31, with Newcastlemaking the trip to Anfield on New Year's Eve.

Pardew's men begin 2011 with a home meeting against Manchester United on January 2, with a trip toBoltonon Boxing Day kicking off their festive programme.

Pardew: "What a fantastic start for us, Arsenal at St James' Park and then the Stadium of Light. Our fans will love that, myself and the players are equally excited.

"No doubt people will hark back to the 4-4 draw last February, and rightly so. It's undoubtedly one of the best games of the opening weekend.

"Going to Sunderland so early in the season is terrific too and of course we can take heart from our performances against them last season.

"Liverpool and Manchester United in successive games over the Christmas-New Year period is pretty mouth-watering too, and two trips toManchesterover consecutive weekends is a tough assignment. But that's what the Premier League is all about and we can't wait."