Home SPORTS Arsenal's Dramatic Win: A Well-Deserved Victory against Newcastle United

Arsenal's Dramatic Win: A Well-Deserved Victory against Newcastle United

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Newcastle Vs Arsenal
Arsenal's Gabriel celebrates scoring their second goal against Newcastle United



Arsenal's match against Newcastle at St. James' Park on Sunday was fueled by the knowledge that Liverpool had just suffered their first defeat of the season, losing 2-1 to Crystal Palace.


This meant that a win for Arsenal would bring them within two points of the league leaders...



Arsenal's last-minute win against Newcastle United was a testament to their determination and resilience. The Gunners were aware that a win would bring them within two points of Liverpool, who had lost to Crystal Palace, and they delivered under pressure. Given their recent struggles on Tyneside, where they had lost three consecutive fixtures without scoring, even securing a draw seemed like a challenging task.


The omens weren't in Arsenal's favor, either. Captain Bukayo Saka, leading the team in Martin Odegaard's absence, had previously experienced unfavorable results in away matches. In their last two away games with Saka as captain, Arsenal drew 2-2 with Manchester City in September 2024 and lost 0-1 to Newcastle in November 2024. Despite these setbacks, Arsenal's players showed resolve and managed to snatch a dramatic win, proving their ability to perform under pressure.


Arsenal Off to a Flying Start

Mikel Arteta's Arsenal side got off to a strong start, dominating the early stages of the game with three shots on goal, two of which were on target, within the first six minutes. The Gunners maintained their pressure, with Eberechi Eze and Riccardo Calafiori playing key roles in the attack. Despite having the majority of possession, Arsenal struggled to prevent Newcastle from scoring.


Just after the 30-minute mark, Nick Woltemade broke through Arsenal's defense with a brilliant header, scoring his second consecutive home game goal - a feat achieved by only five other Newcastle players in the club's history. Woltemade's impressive performance was set up by Sandro Tonali's cross, highlighting the Italian midfielder's influence on the game.


Nick Woltemade's header would prove to be the German centre-forward's only shot on or off target in the game. Despite this, with an hour still remaining, Arsenal had ample time to regroup and potentially get back into the match.




Arsenal's History Against Newcastle After Going Behind

Newcastle's recent undefeated streak in Premier League matches when scoring first added pressure to Arsenal's comeback chances. In their last eight matches where they scored first, Newcastle remained unbeaten, which made Arsenal's task even more daunting. Furthermore, Arsenal's poor recent record at St James' Park and their inability to win any of their last five Premier League games when conceding first made the prospects even bleaker.


Despite these statistics, Arsenal dominated the game's proceedings. By half-time, Declan Rice had been the busiest player on the pitch with 22 touches in the opposition box, showcasing Arsenal's relentless attacking intent. Despite not scoring, it was clear that Arsenal were making all the running in the game, belying the statistics that suggested they might struggle to come back from behind. This level of dominance would ultimately pay off as Arsenal managed to snatch a dramatic win, defying their historical trends.


Arsenal's dominance was largely due to their exceptional passing ability. Newcastle was forced to chase the game, much like they had against Barcelona, as Arsenal's precise passing left them struggling to keep up. Martin Zubimendi stood out, boasting a 90% passing accuracy.


After the break, Arsenal continued to assert their dominance, enjoying 76.7% possession in the 15 minutes leading up to the hour mark and taking four shots at goal. This period of sustained pressure ultimately set the stage for their dramatic comeback.


Arsenal's failure to take the lead despite their dominance was largely due to an outstanding performance by Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope. He made five impressive saves to deny Arsenal's attackers, showcasing his exceptional skill and reflexes.


Defender Dan Burn also played a crucial role in Newcastle's defensive solidity. He won 100% of his tackles, made one interception, and cleared the ball six times, helping to repel Arsenal's attacks and preserve Newcastle's lead.


Defensive Stand

Newcastle's defense held firm, thanks in part to the efforts of defenders like Malick Thiaw, who made eight clearances, and Sven Botman, who added 11 more. This defensive display was met with appreciation from the Newcastle fans, who witnessed their team's resilience against Arsenal's relentless attack.


Meanwhile, Declan Rice continued to dominate the game for Arsenal, recording 57 successful passes and 75 touches of the ball - the most of any player on the pitch. His tireless efforts kept Arsenal in the game, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.


As the match neared its climax, Viktor Gyokeres had reason to feel unlucky, having launched six shots towards Arsenal's goal without finding the back of the net. However, the tide turned in Arsenal's favor when substitute Mikel Merino scored a crucial header, redirecting Declan Rice's precise cross past Nick Pope. This decisive moment marked Merino's first Premier League goal of the season.




Merino's header not only sealed Arsenal's dramatic comeback victory but also cemented his position as the North London team's top scorer in the English top-flight for 2025, with an impressive seven goals. His ability to score vital goals from midfield has been a significant factor in Arsenal's success, showcasing his exceptional positioning and aerial ability. The partnership between Merino and Rice has proven particularly effective, with Rice providing creative service and Merino delivering the finishing touch.


Mikel Merino's header not only salvaged a dramatic win for Arsenal but also made him the North London team's top scorer in the English top-flight for 2025, with a total of seven goals. This milestone highlights Merino's growing impact on the team's success.




Gabriel's Dramatic Winner for Arsenal

With six minutes plus injury time remaining, Arsenal's determination and pressure finally paid off. From a 96th-minute corner kick, Gabriel Magalhães rose above the Newcastle defense to power home a decisive header, securing a 2-1 victory for the Gunners. This win not only showcased Gabriel's aerial ability but also highlighted Arsenal's resilience and ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities.


The match saw Newcastle initially take the lead with a header from Nick Woltemade in the 34th minute. However, Arsenal's relentless pressure eventually forced them to concede equalizing and winning goals. Mikel Merino scored the equalizer in the 84th minute, and Gabriel's dramatic winner sealed the victory for Arsenal.




Mikel Merino's late goal was crucial, given Arsenal's 13-game drought without a win after trailing at half-time in the Premier League, with their last victory in such a scenario occurring on March 4, 2023, against Bournemouth. On that day, Arsenal came from behind to win 3-2, with Reiss Nelson scoring the decisive goal in the 90th minute. Eddie Howe likely felt disappointed by the outcome, but a glance at the stats would reveal that Arsenal's busier performance was a key factor in their win. Declan Rice, in particular, was instrumental, recording 57 successful passes and 75 touches, the most of any player on the pitch. 




Jurrien Timber delivered another standout performance, participating in 17 one-on-one duels and winning six on the ground. His impressive display also included having the third-most shots in the opposition box and the fourth-most touches, showcasing his versatility and skill on the pitch.


Newcastle's attack, however, struggled to find its rhythm, managing only three shots on target at home. This lackluster performance will likely prompt Eddie Howe and his coaching staff to reassess their strategy and make necessary adjustments to improve their attacking prowess. Timber's impressive form has cemented his position as Arsenal's go-to right-back, with some fans even considering him the best in the world. His ability to defend one-on-one and read the game gives Arsenal a sense of security at the back.


This win brings Arsenal to second place in the Premier League table with 13 points from six matches, closing the gap on leaders Liverpool to two points. Newcastle, on the other hand, sits in 15th place with six points from the same number of games.



 
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