Arsenal Unleash Championship DNA as They Demolish Newcastle

Arsenal's last Premier League triumph came during their legendary Invincibles campaign, completing an entire season without defeat, backed by fierce competitors like Sol Campbell and Patrick Vieira who intimidated rivals before matches even began.

The Gunners haven't claimed the Premier League crown since those 2004 heroes and understand they must replicate the unwavering determination of Campbell, Vieira and the entire Invincibles squad to break their lengthy drought.

Mental fortitude remains essential for surviving the demanding Premier League campaign. Manchester United squads featuring Steve Bruce and Roy Keane, Gary Neville and Wayne Rooney possessed tremendous resilience. They mirrored their demanding boss, Sir Alex Ferguson. Their refusal to surrender and ability to secure late victories made "Fergie time" a football phenomenon.

José Mourinho's Chelsea sides were captained by John Terry and powered by Frank Lampard. Equally resolute figures, Vincent Kompany and Kevin de Bruyne, formed the backbone of Manchester City's successful era.

No squad can maintain mental strength throughout every minute of the 3,420 that comprise a Premier League campaign. Liverpool consistently found late winners this season, demonstrating their mental fortitude (and squad depth), yet couldn't withstand Crystal Palace's final assault on Saturday when Eddie Nketiah netted in the 97th minute.

Sustaining focus and resolve throughout matches proves exhausting. Lose concentration momentarily in the Premier League and consequences often follow. This explains why England's top division captivates global audiences. Every moment counts.

Arsenal's Character Examined at St James' Park

Arsenal faced moments during their 2-1 comeback victory against Newcastle United at St James' Park on Sunday where their resolve was challenged. A prevailing opinion in English football suggests Arsenal's confidence can be fragile, possessing sufficient quality to finish runners-up in the title race, but lacking the character to claim victory.

They've never raised the champions' flag at the Emirates. Arsenal require the toughness of the Invincibles.

Since those golden Highbury years, there's been a perception that Arsenal can be exploited, both mentally and physically. Newcastle attempted this from kickoff. Joelinton hassled Bukayo Saka, fouling him with a sequence of challenges using both feet. Saka regained his composure, stood up and appealed to referee Jarred Gillett for protection. Mikel Arteta voiced concerns to fourth official Anthony Taylor.

Arsenal grew so worried about being targeted last season they approached the refereeing authority, the Professional Game Match Officials Limited, to address the issue. This sparked discussion in English football about "are Arsenal fragile?" Their persistent injury problems were cited as evidence of their mentality. Mentally weak, physically weak. Though unfair, they needed to develop resilience.

Arsenal's Historical Enforcers

Like every club, Arsenal boasts a legacy of steely players who shielded the skillful members of their squad. "The Ironman" Wilf Copping, a defender during their 1930s glory, an ex-miner so resilient he completed a crucial title-clinching win over Everton despite a severely injured knee. Peter Storey represented another Arsenal enforcer, frequently used as a stifling man-marker, mentally strong enough to convert a crucial penalty in the FA Cup semi-final during their 1971 League and Cup Double campaign.

Storey openly acknowledged that rivals labeled him as "ruthless". He later turned to criminal activity and served prison time after being convicted of conspiracy to manufacture counterfeit currency. Arsenal have consistently featured these tough, sometimes aggressive characters.

Tony Adams would patrol the dressing room demanding "are you ready?" from teammates. He personified the team's comeback spirit celebrated in the fanzine "One-Nil Down, Two-One Up". Adams captured four titles. His defensive partner, Martin Keown, approached matches with the intensity of a weathered fighter entering the ring.

I wrote Keown's newspaper column during his England appearances at Euro 2000 and the 2002 World Cup, and he spoke as aggressively as he tackled – without restraint. Keown secured three titles.

Another center-back, Campbell, possessed the mental strength to cross the north London rivalry, transferring from Tottenham Hotspur to Arsenal, a short distance but endless hostility. Campbell earned two titles. Vieira displayed an appetite for possession and triumph. He claimed three titles.

Arsenal's Modern Tough Characters

Since the celebrated Invincibles, Arsenal have sometimes been ridiculed as the Invisibles.

They started addressing this through transfers: Declan Rice represents a determined competitor, not shouting or growling at opponents, simply motivating his colleagues. Arsenal pursued dependability and endurance in their new signings' character.

Viktor Gyökeres is a industrious Swedish striker who willingly engages in physical battles with his markers. The homegrown talents developed at their Hale End academy, including Saka, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri, possess an ingrained winning mentality.

Arsenal are progressing, moving closer to becoming a squad tough enough to claim the Premier League. Moments of vulnerability remained on Tyneside. Gabriel went down easily under minimal contact from Nick Woltemade when Newcastle's German forward scored.

Gabriel's character faced further scrutiny when he seemed to raise an elbow toward Woltemade's face. However, Gabriel became the crucial figure in Arsenal's ultimate display of resilience, aided by Arteta's bold substitutions.

Arteta Released the Constraints

With seven minutes left, St James' roaring, and Newcastle ahead 1-0, Arsenal responded. They overcame frustration at Nick Pope's heroics in Newcastle's goal and not receiving a penalty when Pope fouled Gyökeres.

Arteta's mindset remained strong. Constraints removed, substitutions made, optimism characterized Arteta. Gone was the hesitation from the Liverpool defeat, and the first half against Manchester City. Arsenal concluded the Newcastle match with the hunger of title contenders.

Set-pieces, beginning with a short corner, delivered results. Rice crossed with his right foot from the left, Mikel Merino headed home, and everyone rushed back to the center circle. No admiring their work, no excessive celebration. They had a match to win.

Martin Odegaard then delivered with his left foot from the right and Gabriel headed Arsenal to their 46th set-piece goal in 25 months, securing all three points.

Arsenal's determination requires testing in greater challenges than the final third at St James'. These are narrow margins. If Pope's clearance hadn't reached Rice, enabling Arsenal to earn a corner and Gabriel to score, the headlines would be less flattering. The points, and how they were earned, will boost Arsenal's confidence tremendously.

This doesn't guarantee they'll win the title. It simply means when they face difficult moments and opponents in coming months, Arsenal know they possess the players and mentality to reverse situations.