Arsenal VS Newcastle Hearts with Dramatic Late Turnaround at St James’ Park

Published: 29 September ‘2025. The English Chronicle Desk

Arsenal staged another late show of resilience and determination as they came from behind to secure a crucial victory against Newcastle United in a pulsating Premier League encounter at St James’ Park. What initially seemed destined to be a night of celebration for the home crowd ended in bitter disappointment as the Gunners overturned Nick Woltemade’s opener with two late goals, reducing Liverpool’s lead at the top of the table to just two points and reaffirming their growing reputation as the league’s most relentless comeback specialists.

The match began in typically frantic fashion, with both sides aware of the stakes involved. Newcastle, desperate to shake off a run of inconsistent form, were buoyed by the roar of a packed St James’ Park. Arsenal, on the other hand, arrived under pressure having lost their previous three visits to the same ground in all competitions. From the outset, Mikel Arteta’s men looked determined to avoid a repeat, but they soon found themselves facing controversy and frustration.

The first flashpoint came just 15 minutes in, when Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres appeared to be brought down inside the penalty area by Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope. Referee Jarred Gillett initially pointed to the spot, only to overturn his decision after a lengthy VAR review. To the dismay of Arsenal’s players and travelling supporters, the announcement was made that Pope had “played the ball and there was no foul”. The Gunners’ protests fell on deaf ears, and the game continued at a furious pace.

Newcastle seized the moment and began to impose themselves. Their persistence paid off when the towering Woltemade rose above Gabriel to power home Sandro Tonali’s inswinging cross midway through the first half. The German forward, who recently completed a record £69 million move from Stuttgart, showcased his aerial prowess to perfection, leaving Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya with no chance. The goal sparked wild celebrations inside the stadium, though the visitors immediately protested Gabriel’s treatment in the build-up. Gillett, unmoved by the appeals, allowed the goal to stand.

With momentum swinging Newcastle’s way, Arsenal’s defence looked rattled, while Pope was proving an immovable object at the other end. The England international produced a string of excellent saves, denying Eberechi Eze with two crisp volleys, clawing away a Jurrien Timber header, and pushing behind a dangerous effort from Bukayo Saka. When Leandro Trossard finally beat him, the bar came to Newcastle’s rescue as the Belgian’s effort cannoned off the woodwork.

The game continued to ebb and flow, with Arsenal searching for a breakthrough and Newcastle showing their threat on the counter. Yet the Magpies’ evening took an unfortunate turn when defender Tino Livramento was stretchered off after landing awkwardly, visibly disrupting their rhythm and organisation. Woltemade, having given Newcastle the lead, was later substituted to a standing ovation, but his departure also coincided with a loss of attacking sharpness for Eddie Howe’s side.

As the match entered its final stages, Arsenal’s belief and determination once again came to the fore. In recent weeks, Arteta’s side had demonstrated a remarkable ability to produce late goals, with Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli rescuing results in Europe and the Premier League. At St James’ Park, it was former Newcastle midfielder Mikel Merino who provided the spark, glancing home a header off the post to level the contest in the dying minutes and silence the home crowd.

While the equaliser might have satisfied most teams in such a hostile environment, Arsenal were not content with just a point. They pressed forward with renewed energy, forcing Newcastle deeper into their own half. Their persistence was rewarded when Gabriel, making amends for his earlier struggles, met Martin Odegaard’s corner at the near post and powered a header past Pope to complete the turnaround. The away end erupted in celebration, while Arteta and his staff danced wildly on the touchline.

For Newcastle, it was a cruel repeat of recent history. Just weeks earlier, Liverpool had stolen victory at the same ground with a stoppage-time strike. This time, it was Arsenal who dealt the hammer blow, leaving the Magpies empty-handed despite leading with less than 10 minutes to play. The manner of the defeat will sting, particularly given their improved efficiency from set-pieces that had seen Woltemade break the deadlock.

The result left Arsenal just two points adrift of Liverpool at the summit of the table, with their manager praising the resilience of his side. Arteta has long stressed the importance of mentality and spirit, and once again his players delivered when it mattered most. For Newcastle, however, the defeat compounded their woes, raising questions about their ability to close out tight matches and highlighting the psychological scars of conceding late goals.

The narrative of the evening was not just about the result, but also about the enduring drama of the Premier League. VAR controversy, defensive lapses, inspired goalkeeping, and a dramatic finale combined to deliver another classic at St James’ Park. As the Gunners left the pitch, their jubilant fans sang of title dreams, while Newcastle supporters filed out in stunned silence, left to rue another opportunity squandered.

In a season already rich with drama, this match served as a reminder that no lead is safe against Arsenal. For Newcastle, the challenge is now to regroup and ensure that their campaign does not unravel under the weight of late-game collapses. For Arsenal, meanwhile, the dream of chasing down Liverpool remains alive, fuelled by a belief that they are never beaten until the final whistle sounds.