Arsene Wenger has warned his Arsenal players not to underestimate the threat of Michael Owen when Newcastle return to the Emirates on Tuesday.The England striker may have only scored once since October - against Stoke in the FA Cup - but Wenger insists the "quality is there", with Magpies boss Kevin Keegan confident Owen will soon be back among the goals.

There have, nevertheless, been suggestions Owen could become a high-profile casualty under new England manager Fabio Capello when the squad is announced for the friendly against Switzerland.

Wenger, though, has long been an admirer of the former Liverpool and Real Madrid striker, now 28, who looked lively during the FA Cup fourth-round tie at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday but lacked decent service and support in the final third.

The Arsenal manager knows full well it would be foolish to write off Owen as a spent force.

"His match sharpness will come back with more games," Wenger said.

"On Tuesday night he will be sharper than against us on Saturday.

"You still feel that if you make a mistake, he will be there to take advantage of it as his runs are very intelligent.

"Against us in the FA Cup on Saturday, I was worried about him as I felt that if no-one was there, he would be there - on deflections he is in there.

"You see that the quality is there, but Owen is not yet 100 per cent."

More Football News from TEAMtalk