Newcastle United 0, Arsenal 0.

ARSENE WENGER remains a manager Glenn Roeder admires. At St James' Park yesterday, the Newcastle United boss proved more than a match for his hugely acclaimed counterpart.

In both the Magpies' encounters with Arsenal this season, Roeder's first full campaign in charge, he has emerged undefeated.

And, with a little more creativity in the final third from strikers Obafemi Martins and Kieron Dyer, Newcastle should have made it four points instead of two against Arsenal this term.

The Gunners emerged from Tyneside after ending a run of three defeats - a fourth consecutive reverse would have been for the first time in 12 years.

Newcastle, whose only win in ten meetings against Wenger's men arrived under Graeme Souness last season, were much improved from the team that lost to Manchester City on home soil nine days earlier.

After losing goalkeeper Shay Given in the 25th minute with a groin injury, perhaps Roeder should be grateful for a point, particularly with Nolberto Solano making two exceptional blocks on the line from Gilberto Silva minutes before the end.

The draw has done little to improve any lingering hopes Newcastle have of claiming an unlikely Intertoto Cup place but, nevertheless, four points over Easter is a welcome return.

After proving they have the fight to compete with the Premiership's strugglers at Sheffield United on Saturday, Newcastle knew Arsenal's more attractive style posed a completely different proposition.

But, with captain Scott Parker sidelined with an ankle injury and both Antoine Sibierski and Craig Moore nursing their own injury problems, Roeder's enforced alterations meant he was asking those drafted into show similar character.

With Arsenal smarting from three successive defeats, Newcastle hoped Dyer, Emre and Oguchi Onyewu could all stand up and be counted against the determined Gunners.

And, after Alexander Hleb had been denied a goal from 25 yards after turning inside Steven Taylor, all three of Newcastle's changes were involved in the home side's best first half chances.

A long punt upfield from Given was flicked into the path of the speedy Dyer by strike partner Martins.

The England midfielder was quick enough to nod beyond stranded goalkeeper Jens Lehmann but, with the net unguarded, defender Kolo Toure was alert to thwart Dyer's advances.

Arsenal's lone striker approach, adopted more often than not in the absence of Thierry Henry, seemed to suit Newcastle and it was not long after the Dyer chance that an even better one fell their way.

Solano's adventurous run forward from right-back heralded a free-kick from a lazy Cesc Fabregas tackle. Emre's low dead ball rebounded off a few bodies before Onyewu reacted first and his shot on the turn was held by Lehmann to his right.

Duff, one of Newcastle's brightest players at Bramall Lane, turned in another promising display down the left.

The Irishman, sent clear by Martins' unselfish pass, was very nearly rewarded with the opening goal but his shot rolled across the face of the goal and to safety.

There were worrying signs for Newcastle when Given had to hobble off but deputy Steve Harper was quick to gain his confidence and prevented centres from Gael Clichy and Emmanuel Eboue from providing any real threat.

Harper, on the half hour, was not even forced to make a save when the best chance of the half fell to Emmanuel Adebayor. But the African striker, who had risen above Nicky Butt to meet Fabregas' corner, headed high over the bar from eight yards.

Despite Newcastle's positive play, largely down to the fact the creative Emre was included alongside Butt at the heart of the side, the reward of a goal never arrived before the break.

And that was the case despite Duff missing a further two opportunities. First he was denied by the sprawled figure of Gilberto almost on the goal-line, and then the Irishman volleyed wide after reacting quickly when a loose ball fell to him at the back post.

There was certainly no signs of nerves from those in black and white and that continued to be the case after the restart. Milner, attempting to drive his cross into the box, almost scored a freak opener when his curler from the touchline bounced off the bar.

Just before the hour, right-back Eboue reminded Newcastle of Arsenal's ability to attack when they felt like it. The Ivorian's stinging drive from 20 yards curled wide of the upright.

Harper had still not been asked to make a serious save. And, as the minutes and seconds ticked by, there seemed to be an acceptance from both sets of players that a point sufficed.

But then Steven Taylor showed his passion as he tried force Lehmann into an error after a ball into the box; commitment which was deemed to deserve a booking.

And then late on Arsenal were denied by Solano's amazing antics on the line.

Conceding would have been harsh on Newcastle and, in the end, the honours were shared, although the home side should have had a penalty when Abou Diaby man-handled Onyewu in the area.