Arsenal showed great determination to secure a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory against Newcastle United at St James’ Park. 

After falling behind 1-0 in the first half, Arsenal turned the game around with two late headers from substitute Mikel Merino; Gabriel scored the final one in the 96th minute. 

This crucial win ends Arsenal’s recent struggles at the venue and, more importantly, moves them into second place, just two points behind league leaders Liverpool, signaling their strong challenge for the title this season.

Arsenal dominated the statistics from the start, controlling over 60% possession and creating numerous chances. 

They thought they had earned a penalty when striker Viktor Gyokeres was fouled by Newcastle keeper Nick Pope, but the VAR review overturned the decision, ruling that Pope had touched the ball first.

Despite the Gunners’ pressure, Newcastle struck first in the 34th minute. 

A short corner kick was perfectly crossed in, and striker Nick Woltemade outjumped Gabriel to head the ball past the keeper. 

The goal gave the Magpies a 1-0 lead at halftime, defying the flow of the game. 

Newcastle, known for their strong defense this season with four clean sheets in their first five games, looked set to frustrate Arsenal further, with Pope making a stunning save from a Jurrien Timber header after the break.

Manager Mikel Arteta’s decisions to use his substitutes proved to be the major turning point. 

The comeback began in the 84th minute with an Arsenal trademark: a powerful set piece. 

Midfielder Declan Rice delivered a perfect cross from a short corner, and Mikel Merino—playing against his former club—guided a header off the post and into the net for the equalizer.

This goal reinforced Arsenal’s league-leading effectiveness from dead-ball situations, marking their 35th and 36th goals from corners since the start of the 2023-24 season, a figure far surpassing any other Premier League team.

The dramatic winner came in the 96th minute. 

Returning captain Martin Odegaard swung in a corner, and defender Gabriel rose highest to power a header past Pope. 

The goal, scored at 95:45, was one of Arsenal’s latest away winners in Premier League history. 

After the match, Bukayo Saka captured the feeling, saying, “Late winners—there’s nothing better in football.” 

Arteta praised the team’s grit: “We fully deserved the win… The way we played, performed, and competed.”

The victory ends a winless streak for Arsenal at St. James’ Park and immediately changes the dynamic of the early title race. 

With the win, Arsenal climbs to second place with 13 points, just two points behind Liverpool. 

Newcastle, meanwhile, drops to 15th place with six points.

Merino, whose equalizing goal was his ninth goal across all competitions in 2025 (four of which were headers), highlighted the importance of the result. 

“It’s unbelievable to win these kinds of games. To score and help the team is incredible.” Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville called it a “pivotal moment” that will give Arsenal “huge confidence.”

Looking ahead, Arsenal will aim to build momentum by hosting Olympiacos in the Champions League before a home league match against West Ham next Saturday. 

Newcastle must quickly recover for their European match against Union Saint-Gilloise before hosting Nottingham Forest in the league.