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By ISAAN KHAN, REPORTER Published: 04: 30 AEST, 29 September 2025 | Updated: 05: 31 AEST, 29 September 2025 7 View comments Arsenal pulled off the latest of comebacks at St James' Park as they snatched a 2-1 victory against Eddie Howe's Newcastle on Sunday evening.   The hosts led for much of the contest, with a 34th-minute goal from new recruit Nick Woltemade rubbing salt into the visitors' wounds after their shout for a penalty inside the first quarter-of-an-hour was chalked off upon review.   But Arsenal continued to fight for a share of the points deep into the second-half, with Mikel Merino finally claiming the equaliser with six minutes left of normal time.   As injury time wore on, Gabriel grabbed the breakthrough in front of a stunned home crowd minutes from holding onto a solitary point.   Newcastle's misery will be deepened by the loss of Tino Livramento too, after the defender was taken off on a stretcher after landing awkwardly on his knee.   Here, ISAAN KHAN runs the rule over the standouts and those who could have done more on Tyneside.   Gabriel snatched the latest of winners to ensure Arsenal returned to London with three points Newcastle had led for much of the tie but were ultimately left with nothing at St James' Park NICK POPE: 7. 5 Made two top-class first-half saves to deny Eberechi Eze. His stop on 29 minutes for Eberechi Eze’s half-volley was particularly spectacular. Later denied Jurrien Timber’s header. Nearly was the standout performance, before conceding right at the end. TINO LIVRAMENTO: 6. 5 Solid at right back. Good defensively and capable in getting play forward. Worrying to see the defender go off on a stretcher. MALICK THIAW: 7 Made some really good challenges and kept in position against Arsenal’s threatening backline. Impressive. SVEN BOTMAN: 6. 5 Paired well with Thiaw. A real presence aerially and strong in tackles. Nick Pope was on fine form for much of the match before things unravelled late in the game Malick Thiaw continued to look impressive on the heels of his summer move to Newcastle DAN BURN: 6. 5 Kept getting forward when he could. Hung in there in the left-back area when up against the pacy Bukayo Saka. BRUNO GUIMARAES: 6. 5 Lots of energy and made it difficult for the opposition midfield. SANDRO TONALI: 7 Struck a crisp cross to assist Nick Woltemade. An engine in the middle and did well with distribution. JOELINTON: 6. 5 Hacked Saka down early on but put in serious yards across the pitch. His shot-cross on 57 minutes went agonisingly wide. Bruno Guimaraes was full of energy and proved a handful for Arsenal to deal with throughout Sandro Tonali enjoyed another standout game as part of Newcastle's engine room in midfield JACOB MURPHY: 6. 5 Very lucky the penalty caused by his back-pass was rescinded. Caught offside just before his pass to Woltemade, which the striker hit the post with. NICK WOLTEMADE: 7. 5 A solid display, showcasing aerial ability and desire to link-up with team-mates. His header, beating Gabriel in the air, put Newcastle ahead. Struck the bar in second-half, but the build-up play was offside. ANTHONY GORDON: 6. 5 Lively on the left wing and not deterred despite being beaten in some physical battles. Nick Woltemade thought he might have scored the winner when he came off in the second-half Substitutes ANTHONY ELANGA: 6. 5 KIERAN TRIPPIER: 6. 5 WILLIAM OSULA: 6. 5 JAMAAL LASCELLES: 6. 5 Manager - EDDIE HOWE: 6. 5 DAVID RAYA: 6 A quiet game whereby he wasn’t required to make many saves of note. JURRIEN TIMBER: 7 Impressive all-round play. Often out-muscled Gordon and linked up play well going forward. His header on 59 minutes was parried out by Pope. Jurrien Timber did well to out-muscle a tricky Antony Gordon and helped create chances David Raya had little to do for much of the match on Sunday as Newcastle's attack wore thin CRISTHIAN MOSQUERA: 5. 5 Looked good at the back before his mis-hit pass led to Woltemade’s goal. Hooked at half-time. GABRIEL: 7. 5 Will be disappointed when he watches himself back, crumpling to the ground after minimal contact from Woltemade before his goal. But saved the day with a 96th-minute winner. RICCARDO CALAFIORI: 6 Wasn’t able to have the usual impact in attacking third. Sometimes erratic in defensive scenarios. DECLAN RICE: 8. 5 Played Leandro Trossard through who should have scored. Good recovery run to thwart Murphy in second half. Was initially stymied by being played in a deep role but assisted Mikel Merino with a top cross. Great display all round with goal-saving tackles and an assist. Riccardo Calafiori at times looked erratic in what was a less-than-perfect performance But Declan Rice was playing close to his best as he contributed in attack and in defence MARTIN ZUBIMENDI: 6 Good at retaining possession, but needed to do more in distributing play forward. Played a classy chipped forward pass to Timber on 59 minutes which was denied by Pope. EBERECHI EZE: 7 Showed his class in the attacking midfield role. Unlucky that his two first-half strikes didn’t result in at least a goal. His half-volley on 29 minutes was particularly well-struck. BUKAYO SAKA: 7 Kept at it, in the face of adversity. Involved in the build-up play to a number of key Arsenal moments. That includes for Trossard hitting the post and before the Gyokeres penalty incident. VIKTOR GYOKERES: 6. 5 An active display where he got stuck in to effect. Good play to get past Pope and win a penalty which was controversially overturned. Made many threatening runs. Was quieter in second period. Slipped on 82 minutes when striking ball on edge of box. Bukayo Saka worked hard to break through and provide Arsenal with solid attacking threat Viktor Gyokeres was active but he might have made more of an impact had his penalty stood LEANDRO TROSSARD: 6. 5 Struck the goalframe on 25 minutes in a chance he should score. Kept around the area and tried to make in-roads. Whether he should have started or not is up for debate. Substitutes WILLIAM SALIBA: 6. 5 His slip, which saw Woltemade hit the bar, a minute after coming on was inconsequential because of offside. MIKEL MERINO: 7 GABRIEL MARTINELLI: 6. 5 MARTIN ODEGAARD: 7 Manager - MIKEL ARTETA: 7 Referee - JARRED GILLETT: 5. 5

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