Arsenal came from behind to dramatically beat Newcastle United 2-1 in the Premier League (PL), securing a vital three points while also avoiding defeat for the first time in four visits to St James’ Park.
Highlights
Key stats
- Arsenal have won after trailing at half-time in the Premier League for the first time since March 4th, 2023 against Bournemouth (13 games without a win after trailing at half-time)
- Arsenal have scored five goals in the last 15 minutes of the second half, only Liverpool (six) have scored more in the Premier League this season.
- Newcastle have lost after scoring the opening goal in the Premier League for the first time since February 1st, 2025 against Fulham (eight games without defeat).
Analysis
Arsenal eventually made their second-half pressure count.
Declan Rice covered plenty of ground as Arsenal turned things around at St James' Park.
Match report
No combination of goalkeepers had kept more PL clean sheets this season than Nick Pope and David Raya, and the former showed why when he got down brilliantly to deny Eberechi Eze just five minutes into proceedings.
In what was emerging as an end-to-end affair, Raya was given a more routine save to make by Malick Thiaw’s header, before Pope got enough on the ball to avoid conceding a penalty for his challenge on Viktor Gyökeres, after the striker had intercepted Jacob Murphy’s lax pass.
There was another story of fine margins leaving Arsenal frustrated soon after, as a swift move forward culminated in Leandro Trossard’s strike beating Pope but smashing the post.
Eze also continued to search out openings from the edge of Newcastle’s box, but saw one effort blocked by Sven Botman and another denied by a commanding Pope save.
Having overcome that pressure, Newcastle took the lead in the 35th minute with Sandro Tonali playing a short corner and delivering a cross, which Nick Woltemade headed home when he rose above the falling Gabriel Magalhães.
Having needlessly conceded the corner for that goal, Cristhian Mosquera was replaced by William Saliba at HT, and the Gunners continued their search for an equaliser with Eze firing harmlessly over.
A lovely passage of play culminated in a wonderful Martín Zubimendi dink being headed by Jurriën Timber, who was denied an equally eye-catching save from Pope.
Declan Rice had to make a lung-bursting run the other way to block Murphy’s shot, and while the Magpies remained resolute in defence at the other end, there was a blow for Eddie Howe with Tino Livramento going off injured with a quarter-hour left to play.
The Magpies couldn’t hang onto their lead though, as Rice’s cross was headed in off the post by Mikel Merino to draw Arsenal level.
And things got even better for the Gunners in the 97th minute, when Gabriel inspired rapturous celebrations in the away end by heading in Martin Ødegaard’s corner to bring his side within two points of PL leaders Liverpool.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Declan Rice (Arsenal)
Post-match comments
Arsenal match-winner Mikel Merino to Sky Sports: "It's unbelievable to win these kind of games late winners are the best. But obviously, from my perspective, it is even greater.
"Coming back here is always big for me, big memories, amazing place in my life. But also being able to score and help the team coming on is incredible. And yeah, I mean, I couldn't be better to win in the last minute. Congrats to all the boys.
"Always coming here is great to see all the faces, old friends. I've had amazing memories here. I've only been here for one year, but it's still a big part of my life, of my career. And yeah, to come here and score a winner, I had that again in the same goal as I saw for Newcastle a couple of years ago. It's magical."
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe to the BBC: "Two really late goals here at home hurts. We have to reflect and acknowledge that we weren't at our best. There was not lack of effort, but from a footballing side, it wasn't quite there.
"That was probably the key thing, the number of corners. I think Odegaard made a difference to their overall performance. The weight of pressure eventually told. No lack of effort, but the little details have cost us."