Colo: 'Point Taken'

By Dan King - Newcastle United Communications Officer

Fabricio Coloccini led by example as Newcastle gained a draw with Arsenal in his first game as The Magpies' club captain.

The curly-haired colossus was outstanding alongside Steven Taylor at the heart of the United defence in the 0-0 draw at St. James' Park.

And the Argentine admitted that leading the team out in front of the Gallowgate faithful made the result even sweeter.

"It was a proud day and I was very happy," he told nufc.co.uk. "But I was particularly pleased because we got a good result.

"So I'm happy personally, but I'm more happy because the team played well.

"I think it's a good point and we would probably have taken it before the game. When we were on the pitch, I thought 'we can beat them' but it's a good point to start looking forward to Sunderland.

"I think it was good for the team, for our confidence, and the work we did in pre-season has paid off."

Two of Alan Pardew's summer signings - Yohan Cabaye and Demba Ba - made their full debuts, with Gabriel Obertan also making his United bow as a half-time substitute.

And Coloccini was pleased with the new boys' performances against Arsene Wenger's talented Gunners.

"They played well," he said. "The first game is difficult and Yohan and Demba had never played at Newcastle before - Demba does have a little bit of experience of the Premier League but not Yohan.

"It was a hard game where we had to run a lot. I said to Yohan 'not every game is like this!'. In other games, we will have more of the ball."