Barton cameo overshadows irresistible Arsenal display

KEVIN KEEGAN has bemoaned Newcastle’s finishing this season, but his saviour could be close at hand.

Mike Ashley, the club’s owner, was captured by television cameras on Saturday polishing off a pint in the time it takes most punters to place an order, in cheerful contempt of the Premier League by-laws which ban the consumption of alcohol within sight of the pitch.

Then again, anyone who boasts Joey Barton his pay-roll probably needs a stiff drink now and then. The Liverpudlian is probably the only footballer capable of overshadowing a match even when he has spent less than five minutes on the field, but his appearance here as an 89th-minute substitute — his first since his release from prison, having served less than half of a six-month sentence for assault — was never going to be a bog-standard cameo.

Barton announced his return with a wild tackle on Samir Nasri — he won the ball but was air-borne for a split-second and came within a whisker of careering into Nasri’s ankle — and then had his heels clipped by the French winger in retribution. His every touch was greeted with howls of derision from the stands and even the away followers appeared uneasy when his name was announced over the PA system.

At least Barton found an ally in Keegan. The Magpies boss confronted Nasri and William Gallas, the Arsenal captain, after the final whistle, and then trained his sights on the media, accusing them of organising a witch-hunt and suggesting the game’s real bad guys were those clad in red and white.

“I thought Joey did well,” he said. “His tackle was a good one — some people said it was reckless but it’s either a good tackle or it’s not and that was a good one.

“What you’re probably saying is: ‘Why did he come on and want to go into a tackle?’ But that’s his game. And besides, the worst incidents on the pitch today weren’t from Newcastle United players. You’ve got to be fair and say that.”

Thankfully, the 25-year-old’s impact on opponents may soon be a moot point. The FA has charged Barton with violent conduct for his assault on Dabo and their disciplinary panel is expected to serve him with a lengthy ban, possibly up to 15 games, on Friday.

Barton did not deserve the limelight on an afternoon which saw Arsenal return to their vigorous best after their limp capitulation at Fulham a week previously. There was a swagger and spark to their football which overwhelmed Newcastle, who could have been humiliated had Shay Given not been at his acrobatic best.

In the end, three goals were enough. Robin van Persie capped a superb display with a brace — stroking in a penalty after Charles N’Zogbia handled in the area and crashing home from close range following fine work from Emmanuel Eboue — while Denilson applied the copu de grace following a typically sweeping move early in the second half.

There was concern for Wenger when van Persie limped off with an ankle injury moments after clattering the crossbar late on, but X-rays on Saturday night revealed no broken bones and the Dutchman will link up with his national squad this week.

By the time he returns, Wenger could well have added to his squad. The Frenchman remains hopeful of signing a midfielder before tonight’s transfer deadline, although his options are shrinking. Gareth Barry have chosen to remain at Aston Villa, while Liverpool’s Xabi Alonso is cup-tied in the Champions League.

There is another intriguing possibility. Patrick Vieira was pictured at the Emirates on Saturday, sitting next to Wenger’s newest recruit Mikael Silvestre. The Inter player — a stalwart of Wenger’s two double-winning sides — fulfils his old manager’s demand for an experienced midfielder capable of protecting his back four. His return would be an all-mighty shock, but in a world where convicted criminals are rewarded with 75,000-a-week contracts, anything is possible.

ARSENAL: Almunia 7, Sagna 7, Toure 7, Gallas 7, Clichy 7, Eboue 7 (Walcott 72, 5), Fabregas 8, Denilson 7 (Song 69, 5), Nasri 7, Adebayor 7, Van Persie 8 (Vela 63, 6).

NEWCASTLE: Given 8, Coloccini 6, Jose Enrique 5 (Bassong 44, 5), Taylor 6, Gutierrez 6 (Barton 89, 5), Guthrie 5, Butt 6, Beye 5 (Edgar 89, 5), N’Zogbia 5, Owen 5, Ameobi 4.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Robin van Persie (Arsenal): Dove-tailed beautifully with a reinvigorated Emmanuel Adebayor and gave Arsenal the cutting edge they can so often lack. If he stays fit, a title bid might not be a mere pipe dream.

REFEREE: Rob Styles (Hampshire) 6: Should have awarded Arsenal a penalty before correctly spotting N’Zogbia’s handball. Kept control when things got spicy towards the end.

OPTA FACT: Newcastle have scored just one goal in their last seven visits to play the Gunners in north London in all competitions.

OPTA FACT: The Gunners have lost only one of 40 Premier League games played at Emirates Stadium.