Arsenal snatch late win at St. James’ Park
Arsenal left it late but found a way past a determined Newcastle United side, claiming a dramatic 2-1 victory at St. James’ Park in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.
The Gunners, who had lost their last three encounters against the Magpies in league and cup, were made to work hard once again against a spirited Newcastle outfit missing their talisman Alexander Isak, now at Liverpool.
Mikel Arteta’s men thought they had a chance to break the deadlock midway through the first half when Viktor Gyökeres was brought down by goalkeeper Nick Pope, but VAR overturned the penalty decision after replays showed the Newcastle shot-stopper had just nicked the ball before the contact was made on the Arsenal striker.
The hosts took full advantage of that reprieve. A sloppy clearance from Christian Mosquera gifted Newcastle a corner, and from the resulting short routine, Sandro Tonali’s delivery was met by Nick Woltemade, who powered a header into the net to put Eddie Howe’s side 1-0 up sixteen minutes before halftime.
Arsenal poured forward in search of an equalizer, but Pope stood tall, producing several fine saves to keep Newcastle ahead.
Just when it looked like the Magpies would hold on, the Gunners struck late. Substitute Mikel Merino rose highest to nod in a Declan Rice cross in the 84th minute, leveling the contest with a goal eerily similar to Newcastle’s opener.
Deep into stoppage time, Arsenal completed the comeback. Martin Ødegaard’s whipped corner was met by Gabriel, who powered home a header in the sixth minute of added time to send the traveling fans into raptures.
All three goals on the day came from corner kicks and were scored with headers, a fitting theme for a bruising encounter at St. James’ Park.
The victory narrows Arsenal’s gap behind league leaders Liverpool to just two points, breathing fresh life into their title charge.