Arsenal ... 'And If You Know Your History ...'

Arsenal slipped further off the pace in the Barclays Premiership despite ending a run of three successive league defeats.

The Gunners, who have never lost four consecutive league matches under Arsene Wenger, might have done so had James Milner's 46th-minute shot not come back off the crossbar on an afternoon when Newcastle were a match for their illustrious opponents.

Arsene Wenger's side, as ever, played some attractive football, but created few opportunities of any note until a late flurry which brought the best out of Nolberto Solano.

The Magpies' approach may have been a little more prosaic, but if anything, they had the clear openings with winger Damien Duff twice going close at the end of a first half during which defender Oguchi Onyewu had forced a good save from keeper Jens Lehmann.

Nolberto Solano chose the perfect moment to score his first goal since returning to Newcastle to condemn 10-man Arsenal to a second successive Premiership defeat.

The Peruvian struck with just eight minutes remaining to hand under-pressure manager Graeme Souness a first win in five attempts as Gilberto was sent off for two bookable offences.

Arsenal dominated before the break and were only denied a 27th-minute lead by a superb save from Shay Given after Thierry Henry volleyed towards the top corner.

But it was a different story after half-time as the Magpies set about the visitors with real intent and always looked the more likely winners.

Victory was sweet enough in itself, but the fact that it came courtesy of a spirited display despite the absence of several key players, will have been just as important for Souness after a difficult few weeks on Tyneside.

The appearance of Michael Owen's name on the teamsheet came as a massive boost, even if every time he set off on one of his high-octane runs, all eyes were trained on him for any sign of discomfort after a four-game absence with his groin injury.

However, although his presence in the starting line-up increased his side's potency immeasurably, their success or otherwise was always going to depend largely on how they defended and, in particular, dealt with the threat of Thierry Henry.

In the event, they managed that well in the opening 45 minutes as they hunted in packs in midfield, covered each other's backs in defence and, when it mattered, were able to rely on the brilliance of Given.

Arsenal closed the gap on Premiership leaders Chelsea to five points after a narrow victory at crisis club Newcastle.

Patrick Vieira's deflected strike deep into first-half injury time was just about enough to claim all three points in a contest which was as close as the scoreline suggests.

The Magpies will count themselves as desperately unfortunate not to have come away with something to show for their efforts.

They will feel they should have had a penalty minutes before the Gunners got the decisive goal when Ashley Cole appeared to handle inside the box, although referee Steve Bennett was unimpressed.

Arsenal were as slick and enterprising as ever, but Graeme Souness' side matched them for long periods.

Without injured duo Alan Shearer and Patrick Kluivert, despite a good performance from Shola Ameobi, they lacked the cutting edge they needed to get themselves back into the game.