ARSENAL rose to second spot in the English Premier League table today after a dramatic 2-1 victory over Newcastle United at St James’ Park.
Centre-back Gabriel scored a 96th-minute winner to earn Arsenal the come-from-behind win, which took them to within two points of leaders Liverpool.
The Brazil defender got his head on the end of Declan Rice’s corner to send manager Mikel Arteta and his staff wild on the touchline.
Mikel Merino’s late glancing header off ... cancelled out Nick Woltemade’s opener in a fiery contest.
Newcastle were on course for victory after the towering Woltemade easily rose above Gabriel in the 34th minute to connect with Sandro Tonali’s inswinging cross and power a header past Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya.
Gabriel theatrically went down inside his own box after feeling contact – leading to Arsenal players surrounding referee Jarred Gillett – but the goal stood.
The irked visitors were also far from happy after having a penalty award overturned by the video assistant referee when an incident-filled game was still goalless.
Striker Viktor Gyokeres appeared to be taken down by Newcastle keeper Nick Pope on the quarter-hour mark.
Gillett pointed to the spot but changed his mind after consulting his pitchside monitor.
In an announcement to the stadium, Gillett ruled that Pope “played the ball and there was no foul”.
Newcastle are 15th in the table with six points from six matches.