Eddie Howe singled out Arsenal substitute Martin Odegaard for praise after the Gunners scored two late goals to beat Newcastle United at St James’ Park.
The Gunners looked set to suffer another defeat at St James’ Park after Nick Woltemade headed Newcastle in front in the first half.
But Arsenal returned to north London with not only one but all three points after staging a brilliant comeback and scoring twice late on.
Mikel Merino came off the bench to equalise before Gabriel headed home a dramatic winner deep into injury-time from Odegaard’s corner.
‘Two really late goals here at home hurts,’ said Newcastle boss Howe. ‘We have to reflect and acknowledge that we weren’t at our best.
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‘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 we allowed them to have.
‘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.’
Metro at the Match: Newcastle 1-2 Arsenal
Metro at the Match returns to bring you all the analysis from the biggest games of the season.
Here are our team’s key takeaways from Arsenal’s dramatic win at St James’ Park:
Super subs deliver again
Subs, replacements, finishers – call them what you want – but one thing is clear: Arsenal’s squad depth will be a vital tool in their bid to win the title this year. Gabriel Martinelli last week and Mikel Merino this around, Arteta’s second-half changes continue to get his side goals when they need them most. Ben Fleming, sports reporter
Was it a penalty?
Viktor Gyokeres was felled by Nick Pope and a penalty was given, but the Newcastle goalkeeper was saved by VAR as he got a slight touch on the ball. The decision remained debatable. Clear and obvious error? Surely not. Phil Haigh, sports reporter
Saliba benching raises eyebrows
Mikel Arteta’s team selection is back under the microscope after the benching of William Saliba on Sunday, particularly given the struggles of his replacement Cristhian Mosquera, who was hauled off at the break. Arteta said Saliba’s fitness still has to be managed – so why was he given the full 90 minutes against Port Vale in midweek? Ben Fleming, sports reporter
Woltemade a new hero but Magpies still look blunt
Newcastle have struggled for goals so far this season and they weren’t exactly free-flowing in attack on Sunday. Nick Woltemade has made a decent start and the giant German is a threat in the air, but Magpies fans will be relishing the return to fitness of Yoane Wissa to spark some attacking verve. Phil Haigh, sports reporter
Exciting Eze continues to give Arteta a dilemma
Finally deployed in a central attacking position, Eberechi Eze was at least one bright spot for the Gunners. Martin Odegaard has made that position his own in recent years, but Arteta may soon be forced to consider if his captain is the best man for the job in the coveted No10 role. Ben Fleming, sports reporter
Thiaw looks a great addition
In a transfer window awash with sagas, Malick Thiaw arriving at Newcastle from AC Milan went under the radar. The defender was fantastic here, dealing with Gyokeres impressively. Physically imposing and technically good on the ball. Phil Haigh, sports reporter
Arsenal had already dropped five points before their trip to St James’ Park and were threatening to fail to take advantage of Liverpool’s defeat to Crystal Palace as they trailed Newcastle.
But the thrilling comeback leaves Mikel Arteta’s side second in the Premier League after six games, two points behind defending champions Liverpool.
Reacting to Arsenal’s victory over Newcastle, Arteta said: ‘I think we fully deserved the win. The way we played and performed and competed.
‘The chances we generated, we deserved to win. We did it into a dramatic way but we deserved to win.
‘That is how you get to a different level. By going through those moments and taking the lessons from it.
‘It was a massive opportunity to make a statement and to prove to everybody and ourselves the team that we are.’
Asked if he felt his team made a statement at St James’ Park, Arteta added: ‘For ourselves yes because they are a terrific team and they are so difficult to play against.
‘The level of consistency and quality we showed today was top. I think the way we played, the courage, the determination and the quality we played with today.
‘We want to achieve the next level and to do that you have to come to these places and when there are some results yesterday, we wanted to show that conviction and desire to do it.
‘You have to come to this place and you have to win. You have to find a way to do it and it was tremendous.’
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