Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger rang the changes with Dennis Bergkamp and Robert Pires left on the bench at Newcastle.
Kanu was recalled to partner Sylvain Wiltord in attack, while Richard Wright, Lee Dixon, Fredrik Ljungberg, Edu and Gilles Grimandi all started.
Newcastle made two changes as the injured Gary Speed and the cup-tied Jermaine Jenas made way for Clarence Acuna and Jamie McClen.