Noni Madueke is out with injury, but that didn’t stop him enjoying Arsenal’s dramatic late winner against Newcastle on Sunday.
The Gunners looked to be heading to a defeat as Nick Woltemade’s first half opener for the Magpies remained the only goal of the game as the clock ticked towards 90 minutes.
However, substitute Mikel Merino rose and deftly nodded a header into the far corner from a Declan Rice cross to level things up on 84 minutes.
Arsenal continued to push and found a winner deep into stoppage time, with Gabriel scoring the third headed goal of the match from a Martin Odegaard corner.
The Brazilian’s goal came in the 96th minute to send the Gunners second in the table with a 2-1 win, just two points behind leaders Liverpool.
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Madueke, who is out for six-eight of weeks with a knee injury picked up against Manchester City, watched on from afar and was quick to celebrate the win on social media.
The England winger posted a photo of Gabriel celebrating, tagging his teammate and writing: ‘Monsterrrrr.’
Mikel Arteta was thrilled to see his team claim the three points, something he felt they deserved in a match they largely dominated.
‘To win in the manner that we have done it, wow what a feeling!’ Arteta told the BBC. ‘Football is about emotion and going through things and today we had a beautiful one at the end of the match.’
Merino said of the stoppage time winner from Gabriel: ‘That shows a lot and not only set-pieces strategy but also mentality.
‘Other teams if they get six/seven corners and they don’t score, they start to lose belief in the qualities but for us it’s a matter of keep doing what we do, doing it at the highest level and in the end the last one, last second, we scored and I’m really happy.’
Metro at the Match: Newcastle 1-2 Arsenal
mes of the season.
Here are our team’s key takeaways from Arsenal’s dramatic win at St James’ Park:
Super subs deliver again
Subs, replacements, finishers – call them what you want – but one thing is clear: Arsenal’s squad depth will be a vital tool in their bid to win the title this year. Gabriel Martinelli last week and Mikel Merino this around, Arteta’s second-half changes continue to get his side goals when they need them most. Ben Fleming, sports reporter
Was it a penalty?
Viktor Gyokeres was felled by Nick Pope and a penalty was given, but the Newcastle goalkeeper was saved by VAR as he got a slight touch on the ball. The decision remained debatable. Clear and obvious error? Surely not. Phil Haigh, sports reporter
Saliba benching raises eyebrows
Mikel Arteta’s team selection is back under the microscope after the benching of William Saliba on Sunday, particularly given the struggles of his replacement Cristhian Mosquera, who was hauled off at the break. Arteta said Saliba’s fitness still has to be managed – so why was he given the full 90 minutes against Port Vale in midweek? Ben Fleming, sports reporter
Woltemade a new hero but Magpies still look blunt
Newcastle have struggled for goals so far this season and they weren’t exactly free-flowing in attack on Sunday. Nick Woltemade has made a decent start and the giant German is a threat in the air, but Magpies fans will be relishing the return to fitness of Yoane Wissa to spark some attacking verve. Phil Haigh, sports reporter
Exciting Eze continues to give Arteta a dilemma
Finally deployed in a central attacking position, Eberechi Eze was at least one bright spot for the Gunners. Martin Odegaard has made that position his own in recent years, but Arteta may soon be forced to consider if his captain is the best man for the job in the coveted No10 role. Ben Fleming, sports reporter
Thiaw looks a great addition
In a transfer window awash with sagas, Malick Thiaw arriving at Newcastle from AC Milan went under the radar. The defender was fantastic here, dealing with Gyokeres impressively. Physically imposing and technically good on the ball. Phil Haigh, sports reporter
Arteta said on Sky Sports: ‘We fully deserved the win. the way we played, the way we competed. We fully deserved the win.
‘The chances we generated. I think we fully deserved to win the game. We did it in a dramatic manner, but so happy and so proud of the team.’
He added: ‘That’s how you get to a different level. Going through those tough moments and taking experiences from it.
‘We discussed that in the game, and it’s a massive opportunity now to make a statement and to prove to everybody and ourselves the team that we are.
‘And we certainly with the performance and thankfully with the results as well at the end.
‘That was a statement? Well, for ourselves, yes, just to prove, because it’s a terrific team that’s so difficult to play against, and we already played at Old Trafford. We played at Anfield, we played Man City.
‘We already played here very early in the season. And again, the level of consistency and quality we showed in the performance today was top.’
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