NEWCASTLE UNITED ended another weird and wonderful year at St James' Park with a thrilling but unsurprising defeat at home to Arsenal.

When they met at Gallowgate last season there was little to choose between the sides in a hard-fought 0-0 draw, and despite being separated by 11 places in the Premiership, it was a similar story again last night.

The majestic Jonathan Woodgate was the calm authority controlling Thierry Henry in April, whereas a combination of heads, shoulders, knees and anybody's toes was responsible for thwarting the classy forward last night.

There were occasions Newcastle could have done with a scout leader to undo the knots the Frenchman tied United in.

But to win a game you have to keep clean sheets, and the chances of United doing that against anyone these days, never mind the Premier League champions, is unlikely, although they were unfortunate to go down to Patrick Vieira's deflected effort.

Newcastle supporters will be glad to see the back of yet another annus horribilis and eagerly wait to see who is coming in - and out - of the St James' Park door to provide a boost to their miserable fortunes.

Several players look to be heading for the exit door, with Kieron Dyer high on the list. The 26-year-old is still one of the best midfield players in the country and an asset to United, as he showed once again last night. But he has yet to commit himself to the club following a pre-season fall-out with former boss Bobby Robson, and hiding behind a club press release apologising for his actions has fooled no one.

The former Ipswich man has been one of United's top performers recently and it would be a shame to see a genuine talent leave the club, especially after his magnificent display of industry and skill last night.

Laurent Robert's future looks bleak. Despite being a maker and taker of goals, Robert suffers from lazyitis, if you read between manager Graeme Souness' metaphors, which does not bode well for another season on Tyneside. The former Paris Saint Germain star didn't have his most convincing game last night but he was once again United's main threat.

Newcastle's best defender, Olivier Bernard, is another leaving 'Toon' due to his astronomical pay demands. If reports are correct, Chelsea's Nigerian international Celestine Babayaro will be his replacement. The 26-year-old, who is third choice at Stamford Bridge, behind William Gallas and Wayne Bridge, could be joined by Rangers' stopper Jean-Alain Boumsong for £8m plus a player - rumoured to be Titus Bramble.

Bramble survived a couple of early scares last night to come through with honours. But given his regular lapses in concentration it would be a big surprise if Souness kept the former Ipswich defender.

Patrick Kluivert was missing against the Gunners last night and is another earmarked for an exit. rumours suggesting the Newcastle hierarchy don't believe he is worth the £67,000-a-week wages they are paying him - strange, considering he is the Magpies' only true world-class player. In his place the no-frills Southampton forward James Beattie is said to be on his way.

It's not all doom and gloom, however, and the home side put in an impressive performance against the champions, and you never know, this time next year, Newcastle could be FA Cup or UEFA Cup holders.

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