Arsenal Stars Shine in Dramatic Late Comeback to Stun Newcastle 2-1 at St. James' Park

Arsenal netted two goals in the closing stages to reverse a halftime disadvantage and claim a 2–1 triumph against Newcastle United at St. James' Park.

Cristhian Mosquera's excellent beginning to his Arsenal tenure allowed Mikel Arteta to rest William Saliba on the substitutes' bench in the northeast, and the team clearly indicated through their team sheet that Eberechi Eze would feature "centrally", following significant discussion about his omission the previous weekend.

Arteta's squad looked confident in the early moments, with Eze forcing an outstanding save from Nick Pope in the Newcastle goal. The Gunners then had to withstand a series of set-piece attacks, before appearing to receive a fortunate break from Jacob Murphy. The winger's weak pass back to Pope was pounced upon by Viktor Gyökeres, who was brought down by Pope to earn Arsenal a spot kick.

Or at least it appeared so. The video assistant referee (VAR) intervened and detected a minimal touch on the ball from the Magpies keeper, leading referee Jarred Gillett to reverse his initial call.

This setback didn't discourage the away side, however, who then struck the inside of the upright through Leandro Trossard before Eze and Bukayo Saka compelled Pope into solid saves.

Newcastle's opener therefore arrived unexpectedly—and from a dead ball situation. A quick corner move resulted in Sandro Tonali providing an excellent cross for Nick Woltemade, whose challenge on Gabriel wasn't sufficient to bring down the Brazilian, and the German guided his header perfectly past David Raya.

This dampened Arsenal's momentum, with their fans undoubtedly feeling they were again victims of questionable officiating in the first period.

Arteta's team raised their intensity at the beginning of the second period, with Eze emerging as a key playmaker in the center. They flooded the penalty area with attackers, with right-back Jurriën Timber missing two significant opportunities, one brilliantly denied by the exceptional Pope.

An Arsenal backline, now featuring Saliba, pressed higher to restrict the home team, and Eddie Howe reacted by altering his approach and bringing on two pacey forwards to Newcastle's frontline.

Arteta, in contrast, went all-out, and the substitution of aerial specialist Mikel Merino proved fruitful, as the Spanish midfielder diverted Declan Rice's dangerous cross past a helpless Pope.

Unlike the previous Sunday, there was no indication that Arsenal were satisfied with a draw, and after weathering a VAR review for a potential Gabriel handball, the Brazilian proved decisive in Newcastle's box, powering home Martin Ødegaard's corner to secure victory for the Gunners.

Set-piece mastery once more. Ole. Ole.

Arsenal Player Ratings vs. Newcastle (4-2-3-1)

*Ratings provided by FotMob*

Subs not used: Kepa Arrizabalaga (GK), Ben White, Christian Nørgaard, Max Dowman.

Player of the Match: Gabriel

Newcastle United (4-3-3): Nick Pope; Tino Livramento, Sven Botman, Malick Thiaw, Dan Burn; Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimãraes, Joelinton; Jacob Murphy, Nick Woltemade, Anthony Gordon.

Subs: Aaron Ramsdale (GK), Emil Krafth, Jamaal Lascelles, Kieran Trippier, Joe Willock, Lewis Miley, Anthony Elanga, Harvey Barnes, William Osula.