THE capital hoodoo which Newcastle banished when they beat Arsenal at Highbury in December is threatening to come home to roost.

Newcastle were the last side to inflict defeat on the Gunners and the 3-1 victory a week before Christmas was their first in London in 29 games.

The scoreline was repeated a little over a month later when the Magpies returned to North London to overcome Tottenham and now "The Smoke'' doesn't seem such a bad place after all.

But a dangerous reverse trend is emerging on Tyneside as the London jinx strikes back, in the Premiership at least.

It's a disturbing fact for superstitious Geordies that Newcastle have now lost all three top-flight games against London teams at St. James' Park this season.

Arsenal's victory followed Tottenham's 2-0 win here in October, and Chelsea's 2-1 triumph in December.

Second Division Brentford and First Division Crystal Palace lost on their Worthington and FA Cup visits.

But if Saturday's result is anything to go by, Newcastle's home cup hold over the capital crew could soon be broken.

That's because Arsenal are the opposition again this weekend for a same-time-same-place FA Cup quarter-final.

And just for good measure, Newcastle still have three more Premiership visits from London sides - Fulham, Charlton and West Ham - before the season is out. They won't relish the imminent return of the Gunners, whose win has done much to debunk United's title credentials.

Newcastle, of course, were without not only key schemer Kieron Dyer but also lightning striker Craig Bellamy.

To even things up, however, Arsenal had their injury problems too, with hot-shot Thierry Henry and driving force Freddie Ljungberg sidelined.

So, no excuses. As Newcastle boss Bobby Robson readily acknowledged, the better team won.

But Arsenal also had virtually a full team out - no Ashley Cole, no Martin Keown, no Tony Adams, no Ray Parlour - to mention only a few.

And therein lies the real difference between the sides. It's not just the quality of your team that counts in the modern era, it's the strength of your squad, and Arsenal proved beyond all doubt that they have more than an edge in that respect.

They also possess indomitable spirit and determination and are building up the sort of momentum which could carry them to the third 'double' in their history.

This win stretched their unbeaten run, since they lost to Newcastle, to 16 games in all competitions and 11 in the League.

In addition, they maintained their record of scoring in every Premiership match this season and preserved an astonishing unbeaten away record, which now stands at 15 games - two more than they have played at home.When you can't call on your leading scorer, 28-goal Henry, you can always rely on Dennis Bergkamp to produce something special.

He did so in the Champions' League victory over Bayer Leverkusen last week when he conjured a sublime chip, and continued in similar vein against Newcastle.

And manager Arsene Wenger reckons the Dutch master should now bring out his own video compilation of classics.

"It was an unbelievable goal,'' said Wenger. "You are blessed to see it. If you put all the goals he has scored together, it would make good viewing for somebody who likes watching fantastic goals.''

The latest to add to the Bergkamp Collection was certainly one of the highest calibre, and his 11th goal this season. Robert Pires, who gave Aaron Hughes his most uncomfortable game since switching to right-back, sped down the Arsenal left before cutting inside to locate Bergkamp on the edge of the 18-yard box.

What followed was a magical blur of skill which bamboozled the hapless Nikos Dabizas. Bergkamp turned his back on goal, dragged the ball round Dabizas, performed a delightful pirouette, held off the Greek defender and slotted right-footed past keeper Shay Given.

Newcastle, who had started so well, were stunned by the 11th-minute strike which illustrated how deadly Arsenal can be on the counter.

David Seaman stood between Newcastle and an equaliser. The England keeper pushed out Nolberto Solano's stinging drive and clawed away Gary Speed's header before Bergkamp turned creator to set up Arsenal's second goal four minutes before half-time.

Dabizas, a hero six days earlier when he headed the only goal in the derby triumph at Sunderland, learned a painful lesson in the vicissitudes of football.

Having given away the free-kick, he was left floundering again as Bergkamp floated the dead ball in from the right for Sol Campbell to rise above Dabizas and head his second goal for the Gunners since his hugely-contentious Bosman transfer from Spurs last summer.

Robson was far from happy with Dabizas. "He's a strong player usually, but he gave away the free-kick then allowed Campbell to come across him and I was angry about that,'' he said.

"But I thought Campbell was quite outstanding overall.''

Seaman had a decent game too, and needed to be at his most alert to keep out a glancing header from Alan Shearer and a fierce strike by Laurent Robert.

But Oleg Luzhny, the Ukrainian defender who snubbed Newcastle in favour of a move to Arsenal three years ago, forced a fine save from Given as Arsenal threatened a third.

Ominously, later promised more of the same this Saturday. Dispelling suggestions that the FA Cup is the least of his priorities, the Frenchman insisted: "We want to win every game.''

Oh, and by the way, the groin problem which kept Henry out of this game "is not a bad injury at all'', said Wenger.

That's news Newcastle didn't want to hear

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