NEWCASTLE United goalscoring legend Malcolm MacDonald believes Bobby Robson should take a leaf out of Arsene Wenger's book and turn to French firepower to cope with the loss of speedy frontman Craig Bellamy.

Wenger has relied on Thierry Henry to spearhead the Gunners' attack this season, and Supermac sees Newcastle's best hope of success against the north Londoners - who haven't lost on their travels in the League this season - would be to pair Laurent Robert with captain Alan Shearer in attack.

"Pace will be the key on Saturday and Robert has plenty of that," said MacDonald, now a presenter on Century Radio's Three Legends show.

"I don't think Carl Cort is ready, and I think Robert would trouble Arsenal's defence more with his pace."

Robert has played as an out-and-out frontman in his days at Paris St Germain, and MacDonald would back the Frenchman to cause as many problems from a central position as he would from his more customary role wide on the left.

"His speed will cause problems and I'm sure Bobby Robson will have weighed up his options in attack," said MacDonald, who left Newcastle for Arsenal in the summer of 1976 and scored a hat-trick against his former employers later that year.

"Bellamy's absence is a big test for the team and they've got to be able to cope. But I think people underestimate their strength.

"They've coped without Kieron Dyer for most of the season and they coped without Bellamy when he was suspended.

"This has got the potential to be a great game and I think it is one of those where it will be decided by mere centimetres. Whether Shearer or Henry hit the target or whether their efforts go just wide."

Robert went on as a substitue at Highbury in December, earning a penalty and scoring Newcastle's third in a 3-1 win which ended the Magpies' 29-game run without a win in the capital.

The game itself was shrouded in controversy with the sendings off of Bellamy - later rescinded - and Ray Parlour, and Henry's outburst at referee Graham Poll at the final whistle.

Henry will finally face an FA misconduct charge for his behaviour that night at Highbury next Wednesday. It was the last game Arsenal lost in all competitions, and despite Newcastle failing to receive the credit they deserved for their win, MacDonald believes they have nothing to prove.

"It was a great result down at Highbury first and foremost," he said. "Whatever else went on should be secondary to the result.

"Newcastle may have not recieved any plaudits in the southern-based media but they have nothing to prove.

"Arsenal may have Henry and Bergkamp, but they will be just as concerned about the threats posed by Newcastle - especially the pace of Robert."

Despite Supermac's wishes to see Robson blood Robert in the centre of attack, the Newcastle boss has indicated he is likely to team Shola Ameobi with Shearer.

The only time the two have played together in the Premiership this season was against Blackburn at St James' Park in December, Bellamy missing the game through suspension.

The partnership never really hit it off, and the game only turned in the Magpies' favour when Ameobi was replaced by Lomana Lua Lua, the Congo international inspiring Newcastle to a 2-1 win.

Read more about Newcastle FC here.