Arsenal’s thrilling late victory against Newcastle has boosted their confidence in the title race, according to Gary Neville from Sky Sports.
Gabriel scored a last-minute header at St James’ Park on Sunday, sealing a remarkable comeback after Mikel Merino had equalized, cancelling out Nick Woltemade’s initial goal.
Despite feeling wronged by a first-half penalty decision, Arsenal displayed great resilience, capitalizing on Liverpool’s loss to Crystal Palace the previous day. Mikel Arteta’s men are now just two points behind the reigning champions.
“This is a massive moment for Arsenal and for Arteta,” Neville commented during the game.
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Gabriel’s incredible goal in stoppage time followed a fantastic corner from Martin Odegaard during the Premier League encounter with Newcastle.
Neville had previously criticized Arsenal’s tactics in their draw against Manchester City but lauded their offensive approach in the North East.
“A week ago, the outlook was bleak; now it’s looking much brighter,” he remarked. “Liverpool lost, while Arsenal secured an impressive win.”
“They deserved the win; they were the superior side. Arteta made excellent substitutions and fielded a strong starting XI. This will instill great confidence in them.”
“It’s unusual to experience swings in momentum this early in the season. However, Liverpool’s players watching at home might feel a bit uneasy now.”
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Watch highlights from Newcastle United’s clash against Arsenal in the Premier League.
Celebrations erupted among the Arsenal squad and within their traveling supporters as Gabriel netted the dramatic winner, marking a significant statement victory for a team that has finished second three consecutive seasons.
“It was wild on the pitch and in the stands,” Neville remarked immediately after Gabriel’s goal. “This feels monumental. Even in September, this should not carry such weight. However, this is a team that has lacked ambition in the past, and they answered the call at St James’ Park.”
“Arteta has changed his approach; a week ago, he was more reserved. Now, he has thrown everything into the match, and it has paid off!”
‘Arsenal has made a strong statement’
On The Gary Neville Podcast, he elaborated: “This felt monumental. When the first goal went in, the air was charged with anticipation.”
“Critics have asked significant questions about Arsenal’s capability after last week, and today, Arteta’s choice of a more positive lineup and his bold substitutions reflected his intent to win.”
“When leaving the pitch, ensure you’ve utilized all your resources. The winner came because of their determination. If they aspire to win the league, they need to approach every match with that belief.”
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Watch highlights of Mikel Merino’s late equalizer for Newcastle against Arsenal in the Premier League.
“I’m expressing my thoughts passionately right now because, just a week ago, I felt that Arteta was not leveraging his full squad. Securing a mere point seemed to leave some players in the dressing room underutilized.”
“He boasts a remarkable squad, arguably the best in the league, though Liverpool is also exceptional.”
“In reality, the title race rests solely between Liverpool and Arsenal.”
“When the first goal was scored, I sensed something significant; I genuinely believed a second was imminent. You could feel the energy shift in the crowd. The Arsenal players felt it as well, and they delivered.”
“This is a pivotal moment. Although it’s only September, this isn’t the time to make conclusions…title races generally heat up around March. However, it’s crucial to send out strong signals early on.”
“You must make it clear that you are a serious contender, and I believe Arsenal successfully did that today.”
Arteta: We demonstrated our identity
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Mikel Arteta expressed pride in his team’s comeback against Newcastle.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta shared with Sky Sports:
“That’s how you elevate your game. By navigating those challenging situations and learning from them.
“We emphasized that in this match, and it was a huge opportunity to assert ourselves and demonstrate our true capabilities.
“And we definitely achieved that with both our performance and the outcome.”
“Was this a statement? For us, indeed—it was crucial to validate our identity, especially against such a formidable opponent. We’ve already faced tough environments this season, including Old Trafford, Anfield, and now here.”
“The consistency and quality we showcased in this match were exceptional.”