PAUL MERSON and Dennis Bergkamp took the slow road to Tyneside yesterday as the rest of Arsene Wenger's Arsenal high-fliers let the plane take the strain for their match-of-the-day, top-of-the-table tussle with Premiership squadron leaders Newcastle.
Midfielder Merson, like Dutch striker Bergkamp, admits to a fear of flying. Among all the well-documented problems with drink, drugs, gambling and marital strife, it is another phobia the reformed England star has to confront.
But football's fear factor has no place in the Arsenal phrase-book now under Wenger. After a turbulent two weeks in which they have faced Manchester United, Liverpool and a local derby drama against Spurs, the new French master of Highbury insists: "There is still no real pressure on us."
Merson lines-up against Newcastle today, although injured Bergkamp is unlikely to, reflecting his manager's belief that Arsenal have as good a chance of shooting for the title as anybody else in the top six even if the result goes against them at St James' Park.
"People say, and it is true, that you can never win the title in November," said Merson. "But it is equally true that there are already a lot of teams by now who realistically cannot win it.
"We are not one of those. We're playing well, responding to the manager's fresh approach with a lot of confidence and I think we are good value for second place in the league.
"It is a very open race this time and I certainly can't see just two teams running away with it like Manchester United and Newcastle did last season.
"But it is a big test tomorrow. Newcastle are looking stronger than ever. They have a practically guaranteed 30-goals-a-season man in Alan Shearer and I think David Batty's influence in the midfield is the key factor for them.
"But even if they beat us we will still be in it. And if we get a result it will be a real psychological boost because we have two home games to come next week."
Even though Merson is winning his fight against the social-ills that afflicted him nearly two years ago, it does not make him invulnerable to everyday health hazards.
He played in Arsenal's League Cup defeat at Anfield on Wednesday despite a severe case of "the runs". But he will be back in the thick of the action today, responding to Wenger's simple instruction to a side that has not won at Newcastle for seven years: "Just perform to your best."
Right now that is the only priority for the Frenchman. He has decided to wait and see how far the experienced squad he inherited can go before he makes major changes.
"It is important for us to do well, of course, because Arsenal are a big club but we did well at Manchester United despite losing and I think we will do well again tomorrow.
"Maybe we were not cautious enough when leading 1-0 at Liverpool on Wednesday and they took advantage of us, but it has not changed my attitude to how we should play with freedom and expression."
Wenger claims he has no special plans to deal with Newcastle's £15 million hot-shot Alan Shearer even though the mercurial England captain, blasting again at full power after his groin operation, will be chasing a personal record of scoring in seven consecutive dames.
Wenger said: "What I like most about Shearer is his efficiency in front of goal. He is a different kind of striker than our Ian
Wright but his output of goals is just as prolific. It should be a fascinating contest."
Newcastle, also removed from the League Cup on Wednesday by Middlesbrough, are still without long-term absentees Les Ferdinand and Steve Howey with the defender facing up to six more weeks on the sidelines and a possible operation on a calf muscle and boss Keegan insists: "It's going to be a severe test for us."
Newcastle, who face French club Metz in the UEFA Cup on Tuesday, know they must, however, improve their most recent League form even though they are still a point clear at the top.
