My Gunners 'want it', says Arteta

ARSENAL boss Mikel Arteta is confident his team “wants it” after seeing them scrap their way to victory at Newcastle and close the gap on Premier League lead- ers Liverpool.

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The champions’ 2-1 defeat at Crystal Palace on Saturday presented the Gunners with an opportunity 24 hours later, but it was one they looked like passing up at St James’ Park.

With six minutes remaining, the Magpies led 1-0 courtesy of Nick Woltemade’s 34th-minute header, but goals from substitute Mikel Merino and, in the sixth minute of stoppage time, defender Gabriel secured a dramatic 2-1 win.

Arteta said: “There are moments in the season and obviously with the start that we had already and the difficult fixtures that we had, today we had the opportunity to close that gap, and do it in a stadium that has a very recent and difficult past for us.

“I think it shows how much the team wants it.”