Newcastle 1-2 Arsenal: Dramatic Late Goals from Gabriel and Mikel Merino

abriel delivered a stunning 96th-minute header to hand Arsenal a 2-1 victory over Newcastle, turning what looked like a frustrating night into a huge statement win in the Premier League title race. The comeback result at St. James’ Park trimmed Liverpool’s lead at the top to just two points.

Earlier in the evening, substitute Mikel Merino pulled Arsenal level with a perfectly timed header in the 84th minute, responding to Nick Woltemade’s first-half opener. With Liverpool suffering their first loss of the season at Crystal Palace, Arsenal knew this was a chance they could not waste, and they seized it.

Manager Mikel Arteta praised his squad for their resilience under pressure. Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: “That’s how you rise to a different level, by enduring tough moments. We talked about this being a massive chance to make a statement, and the players showed who we are as a team.”

Gabriel, who was central to nearly every flashpoint of the match, emerged as both hero and villain. He was culpable for Newcastle’s opener after going down too easily under minimal contact from Woltemade, but dramatically redeemed himself with the match-winning header. His strike came from a Martin Odegaard corner just minutes after VAR had cleared him of a potential handball when Antony Elanga’s cross struck his arm at close range.

Controversy wasn’t limited to Arsenal’s defense. Referee Jarred Gillett reversed an earlier decision to award Viktor Gyokeres a penalty after Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope clipped him inside the area. VAR advised an on-field review, and replays showing Pope’s touch on the ball were enough to overturn the spot-kick, even though Gyokeres appeared poised to reach the ball before being brought down.

Arsenal refused to let the setback derail them. Instead, they produced a late surge, scoring twice from set-pieces to snatch victory in a stadium where they had lost their previous three league visits. The final whistle sparked jubilant scenes on the Arsenal bench, as players and staff embraced after a result that could prove decisive in the title race.

Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville hailed the win as season-defining. “Huge for Arsenal, huge for Arteta,” he said on Sky Sports. “Last week, people questioned them. Now, after Liverpool lose and Arsenal respond with a comeback like this, the whole picture changes. They were the better team and deserved it.”

Eze Shines as Arsenal Release the Handbrake

A week can change everything in football. Against Manchester City, Arteta was criticized for being overly cautious. But at Newcastle, he trusted his attacking instincts, and it paid dividends.

Eberechi Eze, handed his first league start through the middle, was instrumental in restoring Arsenal’s attacking rhythm. His creativity and ability to link play helped Arsenal dominate possession and unsettle Newcastle’s midfield for long stretches. The team’s fluidity, missing for much of last season, was back on full display.

Ironically, it was Merino, the player many thought Eze should replace, who came off the bench to equalize. Still, Arteta’s gamble was justified. By trusting Eze in a big away match, the manager now knows he has more tactical flexibility heading into the toughest fixtures of the campaign.

This was also the second consecutive league game in which an Arsenal substitute scored the equalizer, supporting Arteta’s argument that his “finishers” can be as important as his starters.

Perhaps most tellingly, the disputed penalty decision barely matters now. Arteta reiterated after the game that VAR should never have intervened, but because his side overcame it, the controversy feels like a footnote rather than a headline.

Newcastle Pay for Costly Mistakes

Despite leading for much of the game, Newcastle couldn’t capitalize. Eddie Howe admitted afterward that his side underperformed, and the result leaves them with only one win from their opening six games, sitting a disappointing 15th in the table.

Newcastle’s tactical shift to a back five with 25 minutes remaining proved costly, as it encouraged Arsenal to push forward. Instead of protecting their lead, they invited relentless pressure.

Goalkeeper Nick Pope, who had earlier kept his side ahead with five strong saves, made two critical misjudgments in stoppage time. First, he failed to claim Merino’s cross cleanly, then moments later attempted an unnecessary long distribution toward Elanga. That error quickly handed the ball back to Arsenal, who capitalized with Gabriel’s decisive header less than a minute later.

Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp summed it up bluntly: “Newcastle created their own downfall. Pope just needed to slow the game down. Instead, he rushed, and Arsenal punished them.”

Adding to Newcastle’s woes, defender Tino Livramento was stretchered off after a nasty fall on his knee. The England international, who previously endured a serious ACL injury, now faces another extended spell on the sidelines.

Arteta: “We Proved the Team We Are”

Speaking post-match, Arteta emphasized the importance of resilience and character.

“These are the games where you prove your level,” he said. “We’ve already gone to Old Trafford, Anfield, and City this season. To perform with this consistency again tonight shows the quality of the group. It was about proving something to ourselves as much as anyone else.”

On the overturned penalty, he was clear: “If it’s not a clear and obvious error, VAR shouldn’t step in. We’ve been told this for years. For me, that was a penalty.”

Howe: “We Were Not at Our Best”

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe admitted his side fell short.

“We gave everything physically, but we weren’t at our best,” he told Sky Sports. “Arsenal played very well and deserved their win. We had chances, took the lead, but couldn’t hold on. Nick [Pope] made some big saves, but in the end, conceding set-pieces cost us. It’s very disappointing.”

Arsenal’s comeback at Newcastle will resonate far beyond the three points. With Liverpool faltering, Arteta’s men proved they have the grit to fight back from setbacks, whether it’s controversial VAR calls or defensive lapses.

Eze’s lively performance, Merino’s equalizer, and Gabriel’s redemption all contribute to the growing feeling that this could be Arsenal’s year. For Newcastle, the result is another reminder that mistakes at the highest level are ruthlessly punished.

One thing is certain: if Arsenal continue showing this level of resilience and creativity, they won’t just be chasing Liverpool, they’ll be dictating the pace of the title race.