Mikel Arteta watched while Arsenal won 2-1 against Newcastle United.
Nick Woltemade led United in a first half lead.
When the clock tapped, Merino came off the couch to lead the equalizer in the 84th minute via the post.
With six of the eight added minutes, Gabriel then goes home from a corner to win the game.
This has followed three victories in a row at home for Newcastle against Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta speaks during his press conference after the game, quotes via the official Arsenal site:
Mikel Arteta asked to win the game so late:
“Incredible feeling.
“That is what football is about and a team.
“If you get what you earn at the end, it is no better feeling than that.
I had seen the promotion very clearly and quickly, so I thought the referee would not intervene [and disallow the winning goal] But I don’t know, because we clearly had the example of what happens in the first half with a penalty. Anyway, I am so proud of the team, the way we played, the way we competed, the way we understood the game, how we responded to very difficult situations and decisions and still found a way to win the game with the players who come out of the couch, exceptionally.
“There are a few things that can be unpredictable with the line-up or the formation or whatever. There are certain things that are so predictable, what you have to do here to win a football match.
“We certainly did that from the beginning to the end and, moreover, today we added so much quality of different ways to generate the amount of opportunities we have done. At the end we found a way to win it when I think we deserve it completely to win the game.
“You have to learn from the past and we certainly take a few lessons and very different and painful moments in this ground.
Today was a chance that the game will bring you back into the Premier League in a really important week after all the difficult places where we have been very early in the season to show who we are, who we want to be, our ambition and the way we want to play. I think the team did in a remarkable way today. ‘
Mikel Arteta about the Gyokees -Fine Decision:
“I watched it live and then I looked at the screen and for me it was a penalty.
“This season we have clearly instructed that unless it is a clear and obvious mistake, the VAR will not intervene. It is not, so that is my opinion.
“Thank goodness we have found a way to win the game. The team is still emotionally very calm and very composed and that is a lesson that we probably also took a few years ago.”
Mikel Arteta about closing the gap at the top:
“I believe that the conviction of the team that we are and that we can play different types of games and the team can still deliver and win it in a convincing way.
“For me today it is one of the most difficult grounds.
“Again, praise Newcastle, the way they play, compete, how difficult it is to play at this place, but the team has really brought the game to a different level and I am very proud to see that.”
Mikel Arteta about replacements who make the difference:
“We certainly did that and I should also make a few adjustments and replacements for various reasons. Those who come in, they are really fully focused. My duty is to win the game for the team and they did it all in an incredible way.
“Martinelli comes in and it shows from the start, his threat. Saliba comes in for 45 minutes and I think it was excellent. Again, Martin comes in after a long period and delivers two goals that are goals. Mikel Merino comes in which there is a huge threat in the box and delivers a winning moment, so credit for everyone.”
Mikel Arteta asked about silence critics:
“I don’t know, I think the way we played against Manchester City and Newcastle, two of the teams were excellent, that is my opinion on that, very clear.”
Newcastle 1 Arsenal 2 – Sunday 28 September 2025 4.30 pm
(Statistics via BBC Sport))
Goals:
Newcastle United:
Woltemade 34
Arsenal:
Merino 84, Gabriel 90+6
Possess Was Newcastle 36% Arsenal 64%
Total number of shots were Newcastle 8 Arsenal 20
Shots on goal were Newcastle 3 Arsenal 7
Corner were Newcastle 7 Arsenal 12
Touches in the box Newcastle 17 Arsenal 43
Newcastle team against Arsenal:
Pope, Livramento (Lascelles 77), Thiaw, Botman, Burn, Bruno, Joelinton (Barnes 94), Tonali, Gordon (Trippier 67), Woltemade (Osula 67), Murphy (Elanga 66)
Subs:
Ramsdale, Krafth, Willock, Miley
(Newcastle 1 Arsenal 2 – Instant Newcastle United Fan/Writer Response – Read here)
Newcastle United Rebatures (all Champions League matches will also be available to watch on TV in the UK):
Wednesday 1 October: Union SG vs Newcastle United (5.45 pm)
Sunday 5 October– Newcastle V Forest (2 p.m.) Sky Sports
Saturday, October 18 – Brighton V Newcastle (3 p.m.)
Tuesday, October 21: Newcastle United vs Benfica (8 p.m.)
Saturday, October 25 – Newcastle in Fulham (3 p.m.)
Sunday 2 November – West Ham against Newcastle (2 p.m.) Sky Sports
Wednesday, November 5: Newcastle United vs Athletic Club (8 p.m.)
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