Arsenal stole a massive comeback victory deep in stoppage time at St James' Park as Gabriel rose highest to head home a 96th minute winner and close the gap on leaders Liverpool, in a massive statement early on in this season's title race. The home side had led through a Nick Woltemade header with Gabriel at fault for the goal but the Gunners fought back, substitute Mikel Merino guiding home a fantastic header before Gabriel powered home the winner.
Arsenal came into the game buoyed by Liverpool's defeat at Crystal Palace yesterday and began at a sprint, the home side did well to deny an early Gunners onslaught. Eberechi Eze forced the best from Nick Pope with two great saves in the first half, one particular save down low a major early moment after just six minutes.
Pope almost went from hero to villain soon after, though, as Viktor Gyokeres went through on goal and appeared to be taken out by the goalkeeper with the goal gaping. Referee Jarred Gillett pointed to the spot. But a VAR check would prevent Arsenal from scoring from the spot, as a review revealed Pope got the smallest of touches on the ball before taking down Gyokeres. No penalty.
Bukayo Saka caused the home side problems down the right and Leandro Trossard struck the post, before the game changed in the 34th minute as Newcastle took the lead against the run of play. Both of Arsenal's starting centre-backs would ultimately play a role in their downfall. First, Cristhian Mosquera sliced the ball out for a corner when a pass-back appeared simple. Then Gabriel went down at the slightest nudge from Woltemade, allowing the 6ft 6in striker a free run to head the ball into the corner of the net. Gabriel counted on a soft free-kick decision which would not come, and the Gunners were behind.
The Gunners searched for an equaliser in the second half but Pope was in inspired form once again when he kept out Jurrien Timber. Similarly to last weekend against Manchester City, though, Arsenal would simply not accept defeat. Merino headed home an inch-perfect Declan Rice delivery before Gabriel went from villain to hero with the final say deep in stoppage time, at the end of an enthralling encounter.
GOAL rates Arsenal's players from St James' Park…
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David Raya (6/10):
Could do little about Woltemade's perfectly-placed header and did not look likely to concede again.
Jurrien Timber (7/10):
Remains a threat in both boxes and would have scored his third of the season had it not been for Pope. Anthony Gordon caused a few problems but Timber generally dealt with him well.
Cristhian Mosquera (5/10):
The 21-year-old was playing well up against Woltemade until he made a costly mistake in slicing a back-pass out for a corner. The German striker would go on to score from the resulting kick, though it was Mosquera's defensive partner who was majorly at fault for the goal. Replaced at half-time as Arteta brought regular starter Saliba on at the back.
Gabriel (7/10):
The true villain to hero arc. Let his side down when he went down far too easily for Woltemade's goal. But Gabriel rose highest to head home deep in stoppage time and steal the most unlikely of victories.
Riccardo Calafiori (6/10):
Continues to be a steady performer at left-back for the Gunners and largely kept Jacob Murphy quiet, while joining attacks at the other end.
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Martin Zubimendi (6/10):
Had the tough role of attempting to control the midfield against an inspired Newcastle side and struggled to do so.
Declan Rice (7/10):
Showed the very best of his delivery to set up the Gunners' crucial equaliser, having not taken enough risks to get forward in the first half. Great recovery run to prevent Murphy doubling Newcastle's lead.
Eberechi Eze (7/10):
Given the chance to start in his preferred position in attacking midfield. Eze forced Pope into a couple of outstanding saves and was certainly one of the Gunners' biggest threats on the day.
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Bukayo Saka (6/10):
Made a couple of bright runs in the first half but faded and was substituted in the second half. May not be back to full fitness just yet, though it was certainly a boost to have him back in the line-up from the start.
Leandro Trossard (6/10):
Chosen to start for a second successive league game and did little to impact the game for large parts. Hit the post in the first half, though, which was vastly unlucky after a rasping drive at 0-0.
Viktor Gyokeres (7/10):
He may not have scored but the threat of Gyokeres was certainly apparent. Multiple times he came awfully close to getting a decisive shot off in the box, finding himself challenged or losing balance at the vital moment. Unlucky with the overturned penalty, too. He will still need to improve and become the difference-maker in big games such as these.
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William Saliba (6/10):
Came on at half-time with his biggest contribution being a misguided challenge which led to Tino Livramento coming off on a stretcher.
Mikel Merino (8/10):
Brought on for a job and did exactly what he was asked to do. A fantastic header with just six minutes left. Always appeared more effective off the bench last season and so it proved again.
Gabriel Martinelli (5/10):
Was given 20 minutes to change the game but was not the decisive figure on this occasion.
Martin Odegaard (7/10):
Returned from injury late on and made a key impact with his perfect delivery from the match-winning corner.
Myles Lewis-Skelly (N/A):
Came on late on as he continues to be understudy to Calafiori so far this season.
Mikel Arteta (8/10):
His more attacking line-up worked well in the first half until his side went behind. The substitutions worked wonders, too, as Merino and Odegaard both played a role in Arsenal's victory.