Gabriel’s 96th-minute header completes Arsenal’s late heist after Woltemade lifts Newcastle

Arsenal summoned a comeback of real substance at St James’ Park, overturning Nick Woltemade’s first-half header with two late set-piece goals to beat Newcastle United 2-1. Substitute Mikel Merino nodded them level six minutes from time before Gabriel, the defender at the heart of so many flashpoints, rose to glance in Martin Odegaard’s 96th‑minute corner and silence a stunned home crowd.

The victory ends Arsenal’s run of three straight defeats at this ground and trims the gap to leaders Liverpool to two points. It also handed Newcastle more stoppage-time anguish, with Eddie Howe’s side having led deep into the contest and defended doggedly behind an inspired Nick Pope—only to be undone by two corners after a night of fine margins and VAR debate.

Fine margins and boiling flashpoints define the night

Arsenal’s evening was immediately shaped by controversy. On the quarter-hour, Viktor Gyokeres appeared to be tripped by Pope and Jarred Gillett pointed to the spot, only to reverse the decision after a lengthy pitchside review and a stadium announcement that the goalkeeper had played the ball. Mikel Arteta was incensed, but crucially his players held their nerve amid the uproar.

Newcastle’s turn for grievance came late on when Anthony Elanga’s cross struck Gabriel’s arm during a sliding block. Another VAR check brought no penalty—less than 10 minutes later the same defender decided the match at the opposite end. In between, the atmosphere simmered: Gabriel had gone down claiming a push as Woltemade outmuscled him on the opener, and David Raya protested in vain as the goal stood.

Woltemade rewards a rehearsed routine; the press bites hard

The home side’s breakthrough arrived from the training ground in minute 34. From a short corner, Sandro Tonali exchanged passes with Anthony Gordon and whipped in an inswinger that the 6ft 6in Woltemade attacked ferociously, powering his header beyond Raya. For a spell the press was feral, Dan Burn’s stint at left-back looked an inspired fit, and Arsenal’s rhythm frayed.

Yet even as Newcastle surged, Arsenal’s threat remained persistent. Pope twice denied Eberechi Eze—once clawing aside a vicious volley—and sprung to tip away Jurrien Timber’s header, while Bukayo Saka’s cross-shot was palmed behind. Leandro Trossard rattled the bar. The contest’s balance felt precarious, and the injury that forced Tino Livramento off on a stretcher complicated Howe’s defensive recalibration.

Merino haunts his old club; Gabriel finds redemption at the last

Arteta’s bench shifted the tide. On at 70 minutes, Merino—who once wore Newcastle colours—evaded Sven Botman to meet Declan Rice’s delivery from a short corner and guide an ultra-precise header past Pope. It was the sort of penalty-area craft the manager had once coaxed from him as an emergency forward and it energised Arsenal’s finishers as the visitors tilted the game their way.

With Newcastle clinging on, Odegaard, another substitute, flighted a corner to the near post in the 96th minute and Gabriel beat his marker to steer home. Pope, who had earlier performed wonders to keep Newcastle in front, was wrong-footed and left with no escape. The turnaround capped Gabriel’s personal arc: culpable on the opener, the late match-winner moments after surviving a penalty check at the other end.

Managers’ verdicts and what comes next

“That’s how you get to a different level,” Arteta said, framing the night as a statement of intent. He praised his side’s consistency and quality, and their refusal to be distracted by officiating controversy. Howe, for his part, admitted Newcastle were not at their best, lauded Pope’s saves, and rued conceding twice from corners. It felt, for the second time in as many home games, like late heartbreak had stolen their points.

Arsenal’s win, achieved with two more set‑piece daggers, tightens the title picture after Liverpool’s defeat earlier in the day. Newcastle, left floored by another stoppage-time twist, now pivot to a Champions League trip to Union Saint‑Gilloise before hosting Nottingham Forest, while Arsenal welcome Olympiakos and then West Ham, armed with the confidence that accompanies an away win sculpted by nerve and know‑how.