NEWCASTLE United winger Laurent Robert reckons he has discovered the weakest link in Arsenal's defensive armoury.

The £10m Frenchman lit the touch-paper for tomorrow's potentially explosive Premiership clash with the Gunners by insisting that they lack pace at the back.

Robert had the measure of Arsene Wenger's men when he came on as a substitute in United's stunning 3-1 victory at Highbury in December.

The former Paris St. Germain star tore through the soft centre of the Arsenal rearguard to win a disputed penalty after a challenge by England defender Sol Campbell.

Robert revealed: "I sat and watched and could see the bad point of the Arsenal defence.

"They are very strong, but they are not quick enough, so I tried to go at them through the middle - and it worked.

"I got through before being fouled by Sol Campbell - and whatever Arsenal say, it was a foul. Campbell didn't take the ball.

"He took my feet, and it was clearly a penalty. I got through again for our third goal.''

Robert now has a surprise package in store for the Champions' League challengers when they arrive at St. James' Park.

But it's nothing to do with the one he left unattended on a Paris-bound flight this week, causing a major security scare.

The only dangerous device Robert has about him is a lethal left foot, which has already blown a hole in Premiership leaders Manchester United.

Robert opened the scoring in the 4-3 triumph over the champions on Tyneside in September with a sublime free-kick.

And he produced an even better effort in the 3-1 home win against Southampton three weeks ago.

Manchester United may think they have tied down the best manager in the business for the next three years.

But Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd insists that Bobby Robson has the edge on Sir Alex Ferguson.

Shepherd even went as far as labelling former England boss Robson "the best manager in Europe''.

The remarkable Robson, 69 last week, has rejuvenated the Geordies in his three seasons in charge.

Newcastle were second bottom of the Premiership when Robson took over from Ruud Gullit.

But now they are second top, only two points behind Manchester United with a game in hand, and chasing their first top-flight title for 75 years.

With a quarter-final FA Cup return at home to Arsenal a week tomorrow, there is even talk of the double among the ranks of the Toon Army.

And Shepherd declared: "I honestly believe Bobby is a better manager now than at any time in his career.

"Some people might not agree, but we feel he's the top manager in Europe.

"What is not in dispute is that he is the elder statesman of world football and we're delighted he's with us.

"We believe he can achieve even more here.

"And we believe he'll prove the best manager this club has ever had.''

Meanwhile, Newcastle were yesterday still anxiously awaiting the results of a second scan on the injured knee of £6m striker Craig Bellamy.

Robson has already ruled the 14-goal front-runner out of the Arsenal game and the visit to Liverpool next Wednesday

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