Arsenal 2: Henry (pen) 81, van Persie 87
Newcastle Utd 0: Jenas s/o 32

Barclays Premiership, Sunday August 14 2005.

By Ian Willis at Highbury

Final Update: 90mins (1.30pm kick off)

TWO goals in the last nine minutes gave Arsenal the points despite a battling performance from United in this opening game of the season.

The first goal came from the penalty spot, with referee Steve Bennett deciding that Charles N'Zogbia had clipped Freddie Ljungberg in the box, and it was harsh on United who had defended heroically following Jermaine Jenas' controversial 32nd minute dismissal.

United had stood firm in the face of a wave of attacks from the home side in the second half.

But their hearts were broken on 81 minutes when Henry expertly stuck away a spot kick after Charles N'Zogbia clipped Freddie Ljungberg, and substitute Robin van Persie made sure of the points three minutes from time when he turned in a cross from Lauren.

UNITED kicked off the 2005/06 campaign with a tough game against Arsenal at Highbury on Sunday.

Barring any draws in either of the cups, this will be Newcastle's last visit to the famous old stadium, with The Gunners moving to their new 60,000-seater Emirates Stadium at the start of next season.

New signings Scott Parker and Emre were both handed their debuts, while Celestine Babayaro had recovered from injury to take his place at left back. Craig Moore missed out through injury, so Steven Taylor partnered Jean Alain Boumsong in the centre of defence.

With Alan Shearer the only striker available to Magpies boss Graeme Souness, United started the game with five across the middle.

For The Gunners, Cesc Fabregas stepped into the void left by Patrick Vieira's summer departure, while Dennis Bergkamp and Thierry Henry - so often thorns in United's side over the last few seasons - started in attack.

Arsenal were wearing their new redcurrant strip to commemorate the final season at their home for 93 years.

United got the game underway attacking the North Bank, and Dyer immediately took up a role on the right side with Bowyer on the opposite flank, and on four minutes Carr swung in a cross that Toure had to head away with Bowyer lurking behind him.

Parker's foul on Gilberto on nine minutes gave the home side a free kick one the right hand corner of the box, but bergkamp's delivery was poor and the ball drifted away for a goal kick.

Bergkamp then had an effort deflected away for a flag kick on the right on 13 minutes, but when Henry swung the ball in Shearer stooped to head the ball away to safety.

Carr's lazy pass gave Arsenal an opportunity on 15 minutes, but Bergkamp fired straight at Given.

Two minutes later United had their best chance when Jenas threaded a ball through to Shearer down the inside right channel, but the skipper dragged his effort across the goal and past the far post. 

Emre had a long range shot blocked by Fabregas on 24 minutes after Carr broke down the right, then Dyer was shoved over by Senderos as he tried to get onto Shearer's clipped pass, but the free kick came to nothing.

On 31 minutes the game erupted when Jenas fouled Gilberto. Amazingly referee Steve Bennett produced a straight red card as the Brazilian rolled around. There was some pushing and shoving after the red card with Senderos in the thick of it, and Parker and Boumsong were both cautioned for dissent before play resumed. 

Toure was denied by Given on 35 minutes after a free kick from Henry, but Shearer again headed the corner clear.

Shearer had the ball in the net on 37 minutes when Carr and Bowyer combined well to create the opening, but the linesman's flag meant the effort was chalked off.

Lauren floated over a cross on 44 minutes to Henry, but the Frenchman couldn't keep his header down, thern the same player volleyed wildly over from the edge of the box after a corner from the right as the half ended all square at 0-0. 

The second half was held up in the opening exchanges while a fan from the main stand decided to parade around the pitch with no clothes on for a minute or so, and in the absence of any stewards he had his moment of glory unchallenged before walking off into the arms of the law.

A Pires corner from the right was headed away by Shearer on 50 minutes, then Given and Taylor both required attanetion after colliding with each other as they tried to clear an inswinging free kick from Bergkamp. Both players were able to resume after treatment.

United were happy to see Parker hack the ball out for a corner when Bergkamp's cross sparked a scramble in the six yard box on 56 minutes.

Given raced out on 62 minutes to challenge Henry as he tried to get on the end of a Gilberto ball over the top, with the ball going out for a corner which was cleared, then Babayaro's barge on Lauren gave the home side a free kick just outside the box on the right side but Arsenal were penalised for pushing in the penalty area and The Magpies regained possession.

Carr then fouled Bergkamp on 69 minutes about 25 yards out in a central position, but Henry's set piece hit Parker in the wall. The ball was eventually played back in by Pires but Taylor stretched out a leg to clear, and Toure's low drive was smothered by Given.

Boumsong then had to head away a Pires cross on 67 minutes before getting in the way of a Bergkamp shot as Arsenal tried to turn the screw.

Babayaro then headed a Pires corner away, and when the ball was played back in Given made a fine save at the feet of Ljungberg to deny the Swede a goal.

On 69 minutes Dyer was replaced by Charles N'Zogbia, then three minutes later Shearer made way for James Milner. At the same time Arsene Wenger made a double switch, with Robin van Persie replacing Dennis Bergkamp, and Alexander Hleb coming on for Fabregas.

United won their first corner of the afternoon on 74 minutes, but when Emre swept the ball in Taylor's header was cleared.

 Another corner quickly followed for Newcastle, this time on the right, but N'Zogbia's flag kick was overhit and the ball floated over everyone and went for a throw in.

As the game went into the final 10 minutes, van Persie's shot from distance was well smothered by Given.

But on 81 minutes Charles N'Zogbia was adjudged to have clipped Ljungberg inside the box, and Henry stroked the ball into the bottom right hand corner. 

Toure booted away a Milner cross from the right on 86 minutes, and when Arsenal broke down the opposite flank Lauren got to the byeline and clipped in a cross which van Persie flicked home from the near post to secure the points for the hosts.

United: Shay Given, Stephen Carr, Steven Taylor, Jean Alain Boumsong, Celestine Babayaro, Lee Bowyer, Emre, Scott Parker (Amady Faye 82), Jermaine Jenas, Kieron Dyer (Charles N'Zogbia 69), Alan Shearer (James Milner 72) Subs (not used): Robbie Elliott, Steve Harper

Arsenal: Jens Lehmann, Lauren, Kolo Toure, Philippe Senderos, Ashley Cole, Robert Pires (Mattieu Flamini 84), Freddie Ljungberg, Cesc Fabregas (Alexander Hleb 72), Gilberto, Dennis Bergkamp (Robin van Persie 72), Thierry Henry Subs (not used): Pascal Cygan, Manuel Almunia

Referee: Steve Bennett