DAVID SEAMAN 1 After his busy workout in last month's England friendly, Seaman probably couldn't believe how little he had to do. Comfortably caught the only Newcastle on-target shot, from Temur Ketsbaia. In the second half he gave Shearer as small a target as possible when the England striker struck the post. Caught his crosses, distributed quickly and efficiently to his defence whenever possible and generally minded his ps and qs. 8/10 LEE DIXON 2 With Newcastle lacking a natural wide player Dixon had less to do than his colleagues in the centre of defence, but kept fully alert for the 90 minutes as the Arsenal offside trap operated immaculately when called upon. Dealt well with Gary Speed. Linked up usefully with both his keeper and midfield, but did not have an especially busy afternoon. 7/10 NIGEL WINTERBURN 3 Judged to have caught Shearer to pick up the only Arsenal yellow card of the afternoon, but perhaps a bit unlucky. Struck Arsenal's first shot of the second half (albeit a bit wildly), but mainly stuck to his defensive duties well, nicking the ball from Shearer when he was about to shoot five minutes from the end. 7/10 TONY ADAMS 6 Won his duel with his international captain, giving a calm performance fully indicative of the new Tony Adams. Drove Shearer into committing a foul that earned the striker a booking, yet his own temper and concentration never wavered. Gave away the free kick form which led to Dabizas heading on to the bar, but generally kept Newcastle away from the danger areas. 8/10 MARTIN KEOWN 14 Just about the only Arsenal player who should be feeling lucky to have picked up a winners' medal. His mistake on 64 minutes let in Shearer for a chance Keown would expect him to take they are England teammates next month. As it was Shearer hit the post but the incident still blotted his copybook. 6/10 PATRICK VIEIRA 4 Whenever Arsenal won the ball, Vieira was available for his colleagues, turning hard-won scraps into solid possession. At times Batty seemed certain to force him to release the ball, yet a swift turn opened up the space from which to launch another attack. Though Vieira didn't play either of the killer passes, his probing balls into space helped wear down the opposition defence. 8/10 EMMANUEL PETIT 17 Even before he played the pass for the opening goal, Petit had played several others that threatened to split the Newcastle defence. As much as Vieira and Parlour he ran the midfield, forcing Newcastle to cover great distances without success on a draining day. 8/10 RAY PARLOUR 15 A relentless performance that underlines how hard it must have been for him to know he's not headed for France when Robert Lee could be. Winning the ball, keeping the ball, delivering the cross from which Anelka should have given Arsenal the lead in the first half, he also delivered the pass which Anelka did stick away. Could d well have scored himself when clipped from behind by Steve Howey. Struck the outside of a post with a shot. All this while winning and keeping possession cleanly.9/10 MARC OVERMARS 11 Capped his first season in England with a neatly taken goal. Petit's pass was a good one but he controlled the ball with his head and clipped it past Given while shrugging off a challenge. Gave the Newcastle defence a hard time whenever the ball was at his feet, including setting up Ray Parlour with a good shooting chance. Almost caught Shay Given out from 50 yards just before the end. 8/10 CHRISTOPHER WREH 12 Didn't impress as much as his teammates, and it wasn't a particular surprise when he was taken off just after the hour. He seemed to tire faster than the others, without putting as much into the game as the midfield trio. One shot just before the break over the bar. 6/10 NICOLAS ANELKA 9 Right from the start, his pace had Newcastle on the back foot. Any ball played over the top produced danger. Failed to score with a simple header with only Given to beat. But took his second half goal very well, timing his run perfectly to escape the linesman's flag before two touches set him up perfectly for the accurate shot. 8/10 DAVID PLATT 7 Came on in place of Wreh to help Arsenal keep the ball just when they were starting to make mistakes he appeared in between the two strikes on David Seaman's woodwork. Didn't create much, but didn't make many mistakes. 7/10

HOW ARSENAL WON IT   ARSENAL'S midfield put their stamp on the game from the word go. On a day when temperatures were in the 90s at pitch side, Parlour, Vieira and Petit in possession forced their opposite numbers to run and run in exhausting conditions. Whenever Newcastle had the ball Arsenal were both quicker and more effective in closing down not only the man with the ball, but also those looking for space. Pretty soon Newcastle were reduced to returning the ball to Given for the keeper to lob forward, bringing boos for these toothless, long-ball tactics. Batty and co were far too busy to link up with Shearer, reducing the England man to a frustrated loner. The Arsenal players, meanwhile, were hitting intelligent long balls into the gaps behind the defence, exploiting the speed of Anelka and Overmars, ultimately producing the first goal. In the second half Arsenal had more of a game on their hands, as Newcastle pressed forward. While Shearer in particular came close to equalising, Arsenal knew that the gaps at the back would get larger, and that the ball played behind the defence would be even more deadly. Anelka timed his run immaculately to score the second, Parlour could well have had a third or seen the man who brought him down red-carded. He took man of the match, though cases could be made for Petit, Vieira and Overmars. Given that Rob Lee and David Batty both have ambitions to be in England's World Cup midfield, yet were left chasing shadows, it was an afternoon that must have given Glenn Hoddle some food for thought, as well as pleasure at the success of his old coach Arsene Wenger.

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