Arsenalin uskomaton lisäajan nousu Gabrielin voittomaalilla hiljensi St James Parkin ja mursi Newcastlen unelman

Arsenalin uskomaton lisäajan nousu Gabrielin voittomaalilla hiljensi St James Parkin ja mursi Newcastlen unelman

If you ever needed a reminder of why the Premier League is called the most dramatic show on earth, St. James’ Park delivered it on Sunday. Arsenal, staring down defeat deep into added time, ripped victory out of Newcastle’s hands with a goal in the 96th minute. The hero? Center-back Gabriel, rising above the crowd to nod home and seal a 2–1 away win that had just about everything: controversy, breathtaking saves, raw emotion, and one unforgettable finish.

Newcastle Strike First

From the opening whistle, Newcastle looked like a team feeding off the electricity of their home crowd. Midway through the first half, summer signing Nick Woltemade delivered his first big Premier League moment, meeting Kieran Trippier’s trademark cross with a header that left Arsenal scrambling. St. James’ Park roared, smelling a statement win in the making.

Not long after, the stadium was thrown into chaos again—but this time for very different reasons. Arsenal striker Viktor Gyökeres went down in the box after colliding with goalkeeper Nick Pope. Referee Jarred Gillett pointed to the spot, but after almost three minutes of VAR purgatory, the decision was overturned. For Newcastle fans, it was as good as a goal. For Arsenal, it was another case of perceived injustice.

Pope Turns Into a Wall

If the first half belonged to Newcastle, the second belonged to Pope. Arsenal began to dominate after the break, with Declan Rice dictating the tempo and feeding relentless attacks through Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard.

But there was Pope—calm, brilliant, almost unbeatable. He smothered Saka’s tight-angle shot, then flung himself across goal to claw away Ødegaard’s thunderbolt from distance. Time and time again, he kept Newcastle’s lead alive, visibly frustrating Arteta’s men.

Arsenal Flip the Script

Arteta refused to settle. His substitutions shifted the momentum once again, and just minutes from full-time, the gamble paid off. On came Mikel Merino, and with nearly his first touch he rose to meet a pinpoint cross from Rice, steering in the equalizer that lifted Arsenal spirits.

The 96th-Minute Twist

As the game ticked into added time, tension hung heavy. Then came one last corner. Ødegaard whipped in a tantalizing ball. Gabriel, who had earlier been at fault for Newcastle’s opener, leapt as if in search of redemption. His header flew past Pope and into the net.

The away end erupted. Gabriel sprinted towards Arteta with clenched fists while his teammates followed in sheer delight. For Newcastle, heartbreak. For Arsenal, ecstasy.

A Premier League Classic

When the final whistle blew, it felt like theatre. Arsenal had taken three priceless points that kept their title chase alive. Arteta praised his side’s “belief until the very end,” the kind of character that suggests a championship mentality.

For Newcastle, the sting was sharp. Pope’s heroic display and the team’s discipline had seemingly secured a result, but within ten minutes it was undone. Instead of a statement win, there was anguish.

What It Means

  • Arsenal: Nights like these can shape seasons. The grit, the comeback, and the last-gasp winner all fuel the belief this squad can go the distance.
  • Newcastle: A cruel reminder of football’s fine margins. Signs of promise were evident, but they need consistency to transform moments into lasting results.

Alternative Headlines

  • “St. James’ Park Stunned: Gabriel’s 96th-Minute Winner Lifts Arsenal”
  • “Agony for Newcastle, Ecstasy for Arsenal in Injury-Time Thriller”
  • “VAR Drama, Brilliant Goalkeeping, and a Last-Gasp Header—This Match Had It All”

In the end, this was more than just three points. It was another reminder that the Premier League remains gloriously unpredictable. For Arsenal and Gabriel in particular, it was a night destined to be remembered.

👉 What moment defined the match for you—the overturned penalty, Merino’s equalizer, or Gabriel’s last-gasp redemption?