Shearer blasts Wenger

Newcastle skipper Alan Shearer has hit back at comments made by Arsene Wenger.

The Arsenal boss claims the Newcastle skipper committed a foul every time he went for the ball during the 1-0 loss at St James Park on Saturday.

The Frenchman also moaned that referees let Shearer get away with murder on Tyneside.

Shearer reacted saying:  "You have to be physical. If you go out there and let yourself be pushed around and bullied, you won't get anywhere.

"I'm not aware of anyone, particularly in the midfield area or up front, who doesn't give a little bit. It's a big position for big boys."

Shearer grinned when he was asked if he had set out to intimidate the visitors with his rip-roaring second-half effort.

He replied: "Of course, we're not daft, you know.

"We needed to get the crowd stirred up because they are our 12th man, so it was all about commitment, work-rate, endeavour, passion and tackles.

"You have to have diggers and fighters in your team.

"Every successful team has players like that. Everybody put in a shift and that's the way it should be, week in, week out.

"If you get stuck in, give it a go and don't give them time to settle, you've got half a chance.

"Bolton did that to them last week and we've done it to them again. I'm not saying that works every time but that's what you've got to do.

"If you play the passing game against them, nine times out of 10 they will beat you."

The ex-England star added: "I wasn't aware Wenger had been complaining about how physical I was. I don't mind that.

"You have to be physical because football is a physical game, I can't ever remember seeing Vieira pulling out of a challenge."