Arsenal send title race statement in Newcastle win as Liverpool get clear message

Mikel Arteta celebrated as if they had won the title. And truth be told, this will give Arsenal the belief that they might just do it this year.

It was a statement victory not just because of the result but also how they showed incredible character to fight until the end.

They simply refused to give up. This was about guts, mentality and sending out a message to title favourites Liverpool. Arteta’s men did all three at St James’s Park.

Naturally, they got their win with two goals from set-pieces and have now scored 36 from corners since the start of the 2023/24 which is way more than any of their rivals.

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Arsenal supersub Mikel Merino equalised after 84 minutes and then Gabriel nicked the winner in the 96th minute. What a moment for Arsenal.

Make no mistake, Arsenal would have lost this game last season and, after their nightmare start to this campaign, they have closed the gap to two points on Liverpool.

No wonder the Arsenal players, the Arsenal bench and all the backroom staff raced down the touchline after Gabriel’s dramatic winner.

This sort of result can galvanise a squad because for so long it looked as if it would be another hard luck story for Arsenal at St James’s Park.

Arsenal had lost on their last three visits to the North East and looked as if they were on course for a fourth defeat in a row.

Missed chances, VAR controversy and a sensational display from Newcastle keeper Nick Pope as the Toon Army roared on their heroes.

Newcastle’s own £69m striker Nick Woltemade scored to put the home side ahead and Arsenal missed chance after chance. It looked like it would be another one of those days.

You could see Arteta getting increasingly frustrated. Perhaps the biggest culprit of all was Arsenal’s £64m striker Viktor Gyokeres who just does not look good enough for this level. Arsenal played well enough to create chances to win two games let alone one.

In fairness to Arteta, the Arsenal boss let off the handbrake with his formation and tactics and they really pinned back Newcastle. Eberechi Eze was twice denied by stunning saves from Pope who also made a super stop from Bukayo Saka.

Referee Jarred Gillett pointed to the spot after Gyokeres was upended by Pope. It looked like a clear penalty but Gillett was sent to the VAR screen and changed his mind. You had to make a forensic check to see Pope’s challenge. So what happened to the referee’s call?

Of course Newcastle were always going to punish Arsenal for their wasteful finishing. Cristian Mosquera clumsily gave away a needless corner. Newcastle’s quick routine allowed Sandro Tonali to send over a near post cross and Woltemade rose to head home.

Gabriel claimed he was pushed but it was embarrassing for him to fall so easily. Newcastle loved it. The fans went wild and began to taunt Arteta.

Mosquera was hooked at half time. Jurrien Timber was denied by Pope with another incredible save and you began to wonder how on earth Arsenal had contrived to lose the game.

But then, they dug deep. With the clock ticking down and Newcastle clinging on, Arsenal worked a short corner and Declan Rice whipped over a cross which Merino glanced in off the far post.

One point saved. They had a scare when the ball hit Gabriel’s arm but this time VAR bailed them out. There was still time to get all three.

Arsenal substitute Martin Odegaard floated over a corner from the right and there was Gabriel at the near post to beat giant Dan Burn and head in to send the travelling fans wild.

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