Top (4) dogs Newcastle send Arsenal a message

Newcastle's French connection cemented the Magpies’ resurgence yesterday. Yohan Cabaye's first goal since his summer move from Lille maintained their place in the top four.

But more importantly, it sent a message to the another Frenchman in the English Premier League (EPL) Arsene Wenger.

Arsenal’s path back to the top four is far from a given.

While the Gunners, riding the wave resurgence themselves, face the giants of Stoke today, another team in their way back to the top, Newcastle are sitting pretty, ahead of both Liverpool and Spurs.

The Toon Army is high on expectations but will know that this is a team the deals out hope and despair in equal measure – perhaps only matched in that respect by Tottenham.

Newcastle however displayed the one ingredient necessary to be a top four team – the ability to win when playing far from your best.

It’s an ingredient Arsenal have yet to indulge in.

Sylvain Marveaux, a 75th-minute substitute for the disappointing Gabriel Obertan cool control helped set up the winner where Cabaye beat Wigan keeper Ali Al Habsi with a magnificent effort

Manager Alan Pardew hit the nail on the head when he said,  “It is resilience. You can't always win by giving champagne performances.”

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