Alan Shearer smashed the 300th goal of his career to help Newcastle United end their season on a high with victory over Arsenal.

The England skipper blasted home a 23rd-minute free-kick - his 30th of the season and his 199th in League football - in an open game against an under-strength Gunners side as United put on a party for their delighted fans.

Gary Speed had given the Magpies a sixth-minute lead with a powerful volley, but Kanu levelled within 50 seconds as he ran clear of the home defence to lob keeper Shay Given.

Shearer's strike restored his side's lead, but Stefan Malz dragged the visitors back into it eight minutes after the break.

However, Arsene Wenger's back-up side could not hold on to their point, and Speed headed his 13th of the season to put Newcastle in front again before Andy Griffin sealed the victory with his first goal for the club.

The win took Newcastle to 52 points, their biggest haul by far since they twice finished runners-up to Manchester United, and capped a remarkable turnaround under Bobby Robson.

The 67-year-old manager joined his players on a lap of honour after the final whistle to rapturous applause while Arsenal were left to look forward to their big European test on Wednesday night.

Wenger opted to rest many of his key players with the UEFA Cup final clash against Turkish side Galatasaray just three days away, making six changes to the side which drew 3-3 with Sheffield Wednesday in midweek.

David Seaman, Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira, Marc Overmars, Gilles Grimandi and Lee Dixon were given the afternoon off, with Dennis Bergkamp and Emmanuel Petit also missing, and that meant rare starts for Alex Manninger, Davor Suker, Malz, Paolo Vernazza, Rhys Weston and Ashley Cole.

Robson gave Griffin his first start of the season in place of the injured Alessandro Pistone, while Steve Howey returned for Aaron Hughes, who was sidelined by a groin strain.

With Arsenal already safe in second place and Newcastle comfortably free of the relegation problems which had haunted them earlier in the season, there was little at stake, but both sides started in lively fashion.

United had already staged two promising attacks when they forged their way into the lead with only six minutes gone.

Nolberto Solano's deep cross looked too high for Shearer at the far post, but the striker got enough of his head of the ball to give himself a chance at retaining possession, and after holding off the challenge of Oleg Luzhny, he flicked the ball over his shoulder for Speed to hammer a close-range shot past Manninger.

But if the home crowd had anticipated an early start to their end of season party, the cheers in their throats died within 50 seconds as Kanu chased down a hopeful ball over the top to find Given in no-man's land and powerless to keep out his neat lob.

With Cole and Malz prospering down the left, it was the Gunners who looked the more likely to take the lead, but just as they started to enjoy greater possession, they fell behind for a second time.

Rob Lee tried to lift the ball over Vernazza 25 yards out, but the midfielder used his hand to cut out the pass and referee Graham Poll awarded a free-kick in a dangerous position.

Shearer, who had earlier gone too high, made no mistake second time around as he blasted an unstoppable drive through the defensive wall and into the top corner to spark fresh celebrations in the stands.

Newcastle were enterprising in attack as the half-time whistle approached, but the Gunners always looked dangerous on the break with Suker in particular causing problems.

Silvinho's introduction in place of Ray Parlour at half-time gave the visitors fresh impetus, and they were back on level terms within eight minutes.

Kanu's pass gave Malz a run on goal and the midfielder managed to hold off Warren Barton's challenge to shoot past Given and into the bottom corner.

The reverse seemed to inspire Newcastle once again, and the forced their way back in front with 59 minutes gone.

Solano's right-wing corner was delivered perfectly for Speed to arrive to power a downward header past Manninger and up into the top corner.

And there was even better to come when, four minutes later, Lee and Solano combined to put Griffin in on the keeper, and he lifted the ball over the Austrian to make it 4-2.

There was no way back for Arsenal from there, and indeed, United could have added to their tally in a very open conclusion to an entertaining game.

Manninger saved on the line from Shearer after Dyer found space on the right, and Lee just failed to cap a magnificent burst through the Arsenal midfield when he sent a left-foot shot high and wide.

Speed passed up the chance of a superb hat-trick when he put an 83rd-minute header just wide from a Griffin cross, and Given saw a huge clearance drop just wide of the target as the visitors' defence allowed the ball to travel the length of the pitch.

But by then, the game was won, and Robson was able to watch the clock run down in comfort, leading the applause for the impressive Lee when he sent Jamie McClen on in his place in the final minute.

Teams;

Newcastle: Given, Griffin, Howey, Dabizas, Barton, Solano (Maric 86), Dyer, Lee (McClen 89), Speed, Ketsbaia (Gallacher 77), Shearer.

Subs Not Used: Perez, Goma.

Goals: Speed 6, Shearer 23, Speed 59, Griffin 63.

Arsenal: Manninger, Luzhny, Keown, Weston (McGovern 67), Cole, Parlour (Silvinho 46), Vernazza, Winterburn, Malz, Kanu (Gray 71), Suker.

Subs Not Used: Lukic, Black.

Booked: Suker.

Goals: Kanu 7, Malz 53.

Att: 36,450

Ref: G Poll (Tring).