Woodgate's -England-class' is hailed by Robson

The Newcastle United defender was instrumental in ensuring his side blocked out the Gunners' frightening front two of Thierry Henry and Jose Reyes.

Woodgate is hoping to be boarding the plane to the European Championships in Portugal this summer.

And Robson believes it was a colussus display that proved just how good a centre-back he is.

"That was a fantastic display from Woodgate. He took the ball off Reyes and then off Henry, he stayed on his feet and was just fantastic," said Robson. "Woodgate jockeyed players and got his foot in at exactly the right moment. He won everything in the air. He was absolutely outstanding."

Newcastle now have a few days before Wednesday night's UEFA Cup quarter-final second leg with PSV Eindhoven.

And Robson is hoping that dynamic midfielder Kieron Dyer, who has aspirations of playing for his country in Portugal himself, can recover from the hamstring problem that kept him out of the clash with the Gunners.

He said: "Dyer almost made it. He was out for half an hour on the morning before the game. The muscle got tired and we didn't take a chance.

"We hope he will be fit for Wednesday. He will have had four days to recover, he's in on Monday morning, when the rest are off, and hopefully he will be fit."

Newcastle are still fifth in the league, despite the point earned yesterday, but are level with Liverpool who occupy that final Champions League spot.

Robson is convinced that the draw with the mighty Arsenal could prove influential in where his team finish at the end of the season.

"It could be a valuable point. We didn't deserve to win or lose and neither did Arsenal," he said. "It was always thrilling. One goal was going to win it and nobody could take it. It was a see-saw of equality. No player made a mistake. I can't complain about not getting three points from the best team in England."

Arsenal have now gone 32 Premiership games undefeated and Robson wants to see Arsene Wenger guide his side through the whole campaign without losing.

"They can't be caught, not on the evidence of that," said Robson. "They can focus on the championship. They have a tremendous desire and they can go for history, it will be historical to not lose a match. I like records to be broken. It would be wonderful.

"In the modern game it's unique. It might not happen ever again."

After keeping the sensational talents of Thierry Henry quiet at St. James' Park, Woodgate has now turned his attentions to making sure Newcastle secure a Champions League place.

And the Newcastle defender welcomed a hard-earned draw against the Gunners. He said: "It's a massive point for us. We have got to finish fourth and if we don't it would be a massive failure for us.

"Arsenal are the best team in the league. Thierry Henry is the best player in the world, in my opinion, and a lot of people agree with me."

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger thought his side were good enough to have claimed all three points yesterday.

But Wenger, who revealed Ashley Cole has a swollen ankle, also criticised the state of the pitch and he suggested that it could hinder the Magpies' chances of finishing in the top four.

"I think we had clear cut chances to win the game," said Wenger, whose side have have had four games in nine days. "The pitch made it impossible to play here and Newcastle made it tough because they knew how may games we have been playing.

"Their pitch jeopardises Newcastle's own game as well. Dentists needs good tools and players need a good pitch."

l PSV Eindhoven warmed up for Wednesday's UEFA Cup quarter-final second leg against Newcastle by thrashing Groningen 5-0.

Mateja Kezman, on the mark as the first leg against Sir Bobby Robson's side finished 1-1, scored a hat-trick while Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Johan Vonlanthen were also on target.