MICHAEL OWEN wants to prove he is the right man to captain Newcastle United, with the England striker also revealing how excited he is about playing attractive football under Kevin Keegan.

There were regular suggestions during Sam Allardyce's short reign that the Magpies' £16m striker was dissatisfied with the way the team were playing.

Keegan, however, wants a more forward-thinking approach to their play and Owen wants the first example of that to be at Arsenal today.

It remains to be seen whether Mark Viduka will be deemed fit enough to start up front after calf trouble, but either way Newcastle are looking to attack at the Emirates Stadium.

"If you look at our squad, we haven't got the players who are suited to anything else but to play football," said Owen. "People like Mark Viduka, who is a big lad, but you don't want to knock long balls on to his head.

He is a big strong lad who needs it into feet, Shola Ameobi is the same.

"I don't want to be flicking on things at five foot nothing either.

We have got players who can pass the ball so I think we have to get confidence out of those players and start passing the ball again.

"Under Sam Allardyce we were a little more direct. We've got to have the confidence for the lads to go out there and believe in themselves to pass the ball and maybe pin them back a little bit."

One of Keegan's first decisions as Newcastle boss last week was to ask Owen to wear the captain's armband in the goalless draw with Bolton.

In the absence of Nicky Butt it was enforced, although it is a decision which will now remain despite the fact that both Butt and Alan Smith are back from suspensions today.

"It was a surprise when the manager first came to me with all the things going on," said Owen. "It was the day of the game and he mentioned it to me.

"I was delighted to do it that night but didn't know if that would continue because we had a lot of injuries and suspensions but subsequently he has come out and said if I want it, see how it goes.

"I have done it many times for England, bits and bobs here and there, I think I was captain in the derby against Sunderland.

But it is a massive honour to be captain and an excellent responsibility. At 28, I think I can cope with that and obviously very proud to be asked."

Owen scored on the night Keegan was confirmed as the club's new manager. That 4-1 win over Stoke City at St James' Park ten days ago set up today's fourth round date at the wemirates.

And the former Real Madrid and Liverpool forward has attempted to describe the atmosphere in the dressing room since his arrival.

"No-one will forget the day when the manager came," said Owen. "It was unbelievable, the crowd's reaction and the players reaction. No-one thought it was possible but we hadn't seen Kevin Keegan for quite a while so when it was said he had accepted the job, everyone got quite excited for starters.

"Training has been good. Certain things have changed. He is his own man and has his own ideas, I think everyone knows what they are, it has been good fun.

"We have played just one game under him. It is a tough time for a manager to take charge with some tough fixtures on the horizon. But we are looking forward to these days."