SIR BOBBY ROBSON last night urged his Newcastle United side to learn the lesson of the dramatic collapse of Arsenal's treble bid as they seek UEFA Cup glory and a place in next season's Champions League.

In the space of four days, Manchester United and Chelsea dashed the Gunners' hopes of reaching the FA Cup final and the last four of Europe's major club competition.

Arsene Wenger's men must now lift themselves for Sunday's Premiership trip to Newcastle as they attempt to protect their lead in the race for the title.

Manager Robson believes Arsenal's woes serve as a warning to the Magpies, who are looking to dislodge Liverpool from the coveted fourth spot and return to the Champions League.

Asked if the UEFA Cup represents his best opportunity to win silverware with Newcastle, 71-year-old Robson said: "My best chance is if we get to the final. If you start thinking about it too soon, you'll lose your next game.

"Arsenal were going to do the treble a few days ago, then they lost in two competitions.''

United face PSV Eindhoven here tonight in a UEFA Cup quarter-final first-leg clash that Robson reckons is as big as the Champions League visit to Dutch rivals Feyenoord last season, when a last-minute goal by Craig Bellamy ensured progress to the second group phase.

He said: "We know the next fortnight could alter our season dramatically. We have PSV twice inside a week, Arsenal on Sunday and then Aston Villa, who are close to us in the Premiership, away from home after that. Every game is like a cup final for us.

"We'll try to fight on two battlegrounds because I think they are both important. I think this match against PSV is every bit as big as the Feyenoord game. I think Feyenoord and PSV are on the same plane. There is very little difference between them in quality.

"In the Dutch league, Ajax, PSV and Feyenoord have been the top dogs for years.''

Robson, who spent two spells in charge of PSV, is delighted to return to his old stamping ground, where he won back-to-back Dutch titles in his initial two-year stint.

He took over from current PSV boss Guus Hiddink after leading England to the 1990 World Cup semi-finals, and had Brazil greats Romario and Ronaldo under his wing at the Philips Stadion, as well as Ruud van Nistelrooy in his second spell.

"My greatest experience in football was at Barcelona, but I really enjoyed it with PSV,'' said Robson.

"It's a thrill for me - a dream - to come back. I was pleased to get through the Mallorca tie in the last round because I knew there was the chance of going back to PSV.

"I had three great years here in two spells. The Dutch are very pro-British; the culture is the same. It's a fine club run by fine people. I raised my profile here.

"I re-educated myself here in club management after eight years managing England.

"There will be nothing in this tie. It will be like our tie this season with Basel, which was difficult, with a narrow margin of victory.''

PSV beat French side Auxerre 4-1 on aggregate in the last round, with Serbia and Montenegro star Mateja Kezman scoring twice in the second leg here.

Kezman, who played against Newcastle for Partizan Belgrade in the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1998, has been linked in Holland with a summer move to St. James' Park after admitting he is ready for a fresh challenge.

But he has hardly endeared himself to the Geordies after rubbishing Robson's men as being no better than Auxerre.

The 25-year-old striker said: "Newcastle are not a really top team. I think you can compare them to Auxerre. We have a real chance against them.''

On Kezman, Robson said: "He has a big reputation, but I don't speculate on rumours. If we had any business with PSV, we wouldn't tell you.''

But Robson did admit he had tracked winger Dennis Rommedahl, who is likely to be on the bench tonight.

The Denmark winger was ruled out for three months with an ankle injury and only made his comeback on Saturday in the 4-0 League win at RKC Waalwijk.

Robson said: "It's true I nearly signed Rommedahl a few years ago. He's a pacy winger I like a lot.''

Fellow winger Arjen Robben, Chelsea bound this summer in a £12m deal, is out with a hamstring injury, while key defender Kevin Hofland is suspended.

PSV (probable): Waterreus; Bogelund, Colin, Bouma, Lee; Park, van Bommel, Vogel, De Jong; Vennegoor, Kezman.

Newcastle (probable): Given; Hughes, Woodgate, Bramble, Bernard; Jenas, Dyer, Speed, Robert; Shearer, Bellamy.

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