Arsenal came from behind to beat Newcastle United 2–1 at St James’ Park in a match that will be remembered for a major refereeing controversy.
Eddie Howe’s side led through Nick Woltemade’s first-half header
but were denied what appeared to be a clear penalty for handball before conceding twice in the final minutes.
The first key incident arrived after just 14 minutes when Nick Pope brought down Viktor Gyökeres inside the box. Referee Jarred Gillett initially awarded Arsenal a penalty, but after a lengthy VAR review the decision was overturned, replays showing Pope’s hand brushed the ball before the collision.
St James’ Park erupted in relief, and Newcastle rode the momentum to open the scoring. In the 34th minute, Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon combined from a short corner before Tonali curled a cross onto Woltemade’s head, the striker rising above Gabriel to nod past David Raya for his second Premier League goal.
The lead stood into the second half, but Newcastle were stretched as Arsenal pressed.
Pope saved superbly from Jurrien Timber’s header while Eberechi Eze struck the woodwork. Howe’s defensive plans were further complicated when Tino Livramento left the field on a stretcher with what looked a serious knee injury, forcing an early reshuffle.
The decisive moments came late. First, in the 84th minute, former Newcastle midfielder Mikel Merino ghosted into the box and powered home a header from Declan Rice’s cross to level the match. Soon after, St James’ Park erupted again when Anthony Elanga’s cross struck Gabriel’s outstretched arm inside the area. Home players surrounded Gillett, but VAR ruled that the ball had first deflected off Gabriel’s shin before striking his arm, and no penalty was awarded.
Newcastle’s frustration deepened in the sixth minute of added time. From Martin Odegaard’s inswinging corner, Gabriel rose highest and steered a header into the net to seal Arsenal’s comeback victory. For the Brazilian defender, who had struggled earlier and been at fault for Newcastle’s opener, it was a dramatic redemption.
The defeat leaves Newcastle ruing missed opportunities and contentious officiating, while Arsenal climb to within two points of league leaders Liverpool.
Howe must now contend with a growing injury list as Livramento joins a squad already stretched, while Newcastle travel to Belgium to face Union Saint-Gilloise in the Champions League on Wednesday.
